Since the inception of the Anti Gang Unit at the beginning of July 2019, in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, significant arrests and recoveries have been noted. The latest successes emanate during the weekend of 21 July 2019, when 2 firearms, 3 toy guns and an air rifle was confiscated.
During the early hours of 21 July 2019, the Anti-Gang Unit arrested a 28 year old suspect in possession of a stolen firearm. While conducting stop and search operations in Langdon Street in Bethelsdorp, members saw two males running down Shaheed Street Ext 36 in Bethelsdorp. One of them was seen with a firearm in his hand. A foot chase ensued and the suspect was seen tossing the firearm in the yard. He was apprehended. The PX firearm was reported stolen in Durban Central in April 2019.
He was detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court on Monday, 22 July 2019.
While conducting several disruptive operations in these areas, the AGU confiscated 3 toy firearms from a house in Cenonia Close in Bethelsdorp and an air rifle which was found hidden between shacks in Kobus Road in Gelvandale.
In another incident, on Friday, 19 July 2019, AGU also confiscated a 9mm Norinco firearm and ammunition from a house in Goliath Street in Helenvale. The serial number of the firearm was filed off and the firearm was confiscated for further investigation and analysis.
Since Monday, 15 July 2019 until this morning, 21 July, a total of 12 firearms were recovered of which 9 were reported stolen.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga has vowed to clean up the Northern areas of criminal gang activities. “We can see that the Anti-Gang Unit is making an impact in these areas. We will continue with our vigorous and high density policing in these areas. Houses of suspected drug dens and criminals will be constantly visited. We also make a clarion call to the communities in these areas to work with us to ensure that their areas are safe” added Lt Gen Ntshinga.
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