The continuous recovery and seizure of firearms by the Anti Gang Unit is a result of intensified operations, high visibility and persistent efforts by our members. In the last 24 hours, four firearms were seized and suspects arrested in separate clampdowns. Between 1 and 22 August 2019, criminals were deprived of 63 firearms.
On Wednesday, 21 August 2019, at about 11:45, members responded to a shooting in New Brighton. The suspects had already left but after patrolling the area for a while, two suspicious males were seen nearby. When they noticed the police, they started running. One suspect was seen throwing a plastic bag into a yard. The bag contained 17 rounds of ammunition. He was arrested and after questioning him, he took the members to his house and handed over a 9mm pistol with an additional 15 rounds of ammunition.
The 45 year old suspect was arrested and detained on a charge of prohibited possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. The serial number was filed off.
In another incident, a 9mm pistol was recovered from the roof of a house in Ext 32 in Bethelsdorp. It is alleged that members were assisting SAPS Bethelsdorp members when they chased after a male. The suspect managed to evade arrest. The firearm was reported stolen in Kamesh in November 2018.
Also on 21 August 2019 at about 23:00, AGU members were quick to respond to a report of shooting in Canada Street in Timothy Valley in Bethelsdorp. They noticed a male running to the back of a house. A foot chase ensued and the suspect was seen hiding something next to a shack between rubble. The suspect (30) was apprehended and two shotguns were discovered. The shotguns were stolen in Jeffreys Bay in August 2018.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has commended the Anti-Gang Unit members for the sterling recoveries. ‘The multi-disciplinary team work between the station, specialised unit and AGU members is yielding positive results. The confiscation of 63 firearms in less than a month is proof that our members are patriotic to the communities they serve. We will not share our space with criminals and we will continue to ensure that criminals are made helpless and removed from the community,’ added Lt Gen Ntshinga.
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