Police in Gauteng remain resolute to recover unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation in a concerted effort to address serious and violent crime in the province.
Over the past two weeks from 13 to 27 September 2022, police in Gauteng in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders have recovered over 200 unlicensed firearms and nearly 4200 rounds of ammunition during operations, routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches as well as through community tip-offs.
On Monday, 26 September 2022 members of SAPS Cullinan arrested a suspect for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition following a community tip-off. The members were reportedly out on a routine crime prevention patrol when they received information from a community members and proceeded to the identified address. A search led the members to recover an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
In addition, on Thursday, 22 September 2022 members of Benoni Flying Squad arrested three suspects on the N12 highway and recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The arrests follows after members intercepted the suspects’ vehicle for driving recklessly along the N12 highway in the direction towards Johannesburg.
Upon further investigation the members found two unlicensed firearms concealed in the engine bay. It was later established that one of the firearms is positively linked to a theft case reported in August 2020 at SAPS Vosman. The other firearm’s serial number is filed off.
All the recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to establish whether it can be linked to other serious crimes committed.
Community members are urged to report crime to their nearest police station, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.
