Integrated partnerships between the SAPS and the prosecuting authority is resultant in ensuring that suspects brought before court are found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment.
Another gang affiliate was sentenced on 06 August 2019 in the Port Elizabeth Regional court for unlawful possession of a firearm.
On 15 April 2018, police acted on information received about a person in possession of a firearm in Beaumont Street in Bethelsdorp. The 37-year-old accused, Nigel Visagie was arrested for being in possession of a shotgun. The shotgun was reported stolen in Swartkops in September 2011. He appeared in court and was subsequently released on bail. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.
In two separate incidents today, two suspects were arrested for prohibited possession of a firearm and ammunition.
It is alleged that at about 10:45 today, SAPS Algoa Park Crime Prevention Unit members responded to information of 3 males surrounding a woman in bushes behind Silver Oak Street in Algoa Park. When the suspects saw the police, they scattered in different directions. A 31-year-old male from Arcadia was arrested and found in possession of a Taurus.38 pistol and one round of ammunition. The serial number was filed off. He was detained on a charge of prohibited possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Also, at about 15:00 this afternoon, Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members were tracing wanted suspects in Kleinskool when they noticed a suspicious man walking in Main Road with an empty potato bag. The bag looked suspicious and they stopped. On searching it, a rifle was found inside. No serial number on the firearm. The 17-year-old youth was detained on a charge of prohibited possession of a firearm.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon. The confiscation of illegal firearms is a step closer to curbing serious and violent crimes in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth.
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