Efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms in Gauteng is gaining momentum as police in the province seized 71 unlicensed firearms and 485 ammunition during crime combatting operations held from Monday 7 December 2020 to Sunday 13 December 2020. Some were received through tip-offs from members of the community.
These weapons that include high calibre firearms like AK47s, R5 rifles are believed to have been used in the commission of serious and violent crimes.
Police in Ekurhuleni District raided Enhlanzeni Hostel searching for unlicensed firearms. During a search in one of the rooms police recovered a 9mm firearm with serial numbers filed off and found 30 rounds of ammunition. Police also recovered five rounds of R5 rifle.
Still in Ekurhuleni, police recovered one AK-47 rifle and two pistols. All these firearms had magazines loaded with ammunition. Police received information about illegal miners who were heavily armed coming from West Rand and Springs. Information was operationalised and suspects were confronted. Upon seeing the police, the suspects dropped the weapons and fled.
A tactical observation by the police officer led to the recovery of an unlicensed pistol in Alexandra, Johannesburg District. Police were conducting routine patrols when they noticed three men who looked suspicious. Police gave chase to suspects, one of them was apprehended and found with unlicensed firearm. Another suspect was arrested in Lawley, south of Johannesburg, after a foiled armed robbery. Police responded swiftly to a complaint of a shooting and business robbery. At the crime scene, police arrested one suspect after he was found with unlicensed firearm.
Three men who are suspected to be involved in taxi violence were arrested in Mamelodi, Tshwane District. Police were conducting crime prevention operation when they stopped a Toyota Quantum with three occupants. During the search, two unlicensed firearms were recovered.
More firearms and ammunition were recovered in all the five districts within the province. These firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to ascertain whether they have been previously used in the commission of crimes.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela applauded police officers and community members who work together to ensure that illegal firearms that are often used in the commission of serious and violent crimes are seized. “The removal of such weapons from the criminals will save lives and reduce the level of crime in our province. The information and tip-offs received from the law abiding citizens proves that most community members are prepared to work with the police. I would like to assure the community that information given will be treated with strict confidentiality and arrested suspects will be taken to court to account for possession of illegal firearms and other crimes they committed” said Lieutenant General Mawela.
As the deadline for the end of firearm amnesty is approaching, the community is reminded to surrender illegal or unwanted firearms to the nearest police station. The amnesty period continues until 31 January 2020.
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