“Illegally owned unlicensed firearms will remain the focus of SAPS in the Motherwell Cluster” said the Motherwell Cluster Commander, Major General Dawie Rabie after four more victims lost their lives over the weekend in firearms related murders.
During this same period, six suspects were arrested for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as five firearms recovered.
At 11:15, SAPS Flying Squad members pulled over a suspicious Mazda 323 in Vinqi Street, Zwide. After a search of the four occupants and the vehicle, two firearms were recovered in the vehicle. A 9mm pistol with a magazine and five (5) rounds ammunition, as well as a 38 revolver with six rounds ammunition were confiscated and all four suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The serial numbers of both firearms were removed. The suspects are aged between 21 and 24.
During the funerals on 9 March 2019, of two “Gintsa” suspects, shots were fired at 12:30 amongst the crowds attending the funerals. Police that were carefully monitoring the funeral quickly closed in and discovered more than 40 spent cartridges in Chalumna Street, NU5, Motherwell.
The shooter attempted to flee from police members but were cornered in a yard and forced to drop the 9mm pistol in his possession. The 22 year old suspect was then arrested for the negligent discharging of firearm in residential area as well as the illegal possession of an unlicensed firearm. Further follow up led police to a house in Ahmed Street, NU10, Motherwell where another 9mm pistol and 11 rounds ammunition (that was allegedly used in the funeral shootings) were confiscated. No arrest was made but forensic analysis will be conducted on it.
Later at about 19:30, Kwazakhele police followed up information about a firearm being kept at a shop in ‘Soweto on Sea’. When police arrived at the shop in Shilowa Street, a 24 year old shop assistant pulled a loaded 38 revolver from his jacket. The SAPS members forced him to drop the weapon and was arrested. The revolver was loaded with six rounds of ammunition and was tested and linked to a Port Alfred case where it was reported stolen during October 2018.
He was arrested for illegal possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
All six suspects will be appearing before the relevant New Brighton and Motherwell Magistrates Courts on Monday, 11 March 2019, to face the charges against them.
General Rabie applauded these arrests and urged that “Our communities must come forward with information on locations where these illegal firearms are being kept in order for SAPS to remove it from our streets and prevent crimes where these firearms are being used to commit murders and armed robberies.”
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