Police in Gauteng seized fourteen firearms in the past three days and arrested twelve suspects that have been linked to serious and violent crimes which include murder, house robbery, hijacking, and housebreaking, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as possession of suspected stolen properties.
Police recovered two (2) rifles after a foiled robbery in Soweto. Information was received through crime intelligence about the armed suspects who were planning to commit a robbery in Soweto. Police officers from Johannesburg Flying Squad and members from Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spotted the suspects driving in a white Toyota Double Cab Bakkie in Tladi, Soweto.
As the police officers were approaching, the suspects sped-off and police gave chase. Suspects started shooting at the police and shootout ensued. Suspects’ car came to a halt in Naledi and four suspects jumped out and fled on foot as shootout continued. One suspect was fatally shot, another suspect was shot on the leg and taken to hospital under police guard, while two suspects fled. None of the police officers were injured during the shootout. Two rifles with magazines loaded with ammunition were recovered. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects that are still at large. Cases of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition have been opened. An inquest docket will also be registered.
On Tuesday, police officers from Soweto Flying Squad received information from crime intelligence about the whereabouts of suspects wanted for murder and house robbery. Police proceeded to Tshepisong where they spotted one suspect who fitted the description and apprehended him. On further investigation, two other suspects were found inside the shack. Upon searching the suspects and the shack, police found two firearms, ammunition of different high calibre firearms, house breaking implements and dagga to the estimated street value of R6000-00.
In Ekurhuleni on Tuesday, police from Crime Prevention Unit (Tekkie squad) received information about someone having a firearm in Ivory Park. On their arrival they found the suspect with a pistol loaded with ammunition and serial numbers filled-off. Police also recovered suspected stolen items. The suspect was arrested.
In Johannesburg, on Tuesday, police got information about the suspect who is in possession of an unlicensed firearm in Soweto, Doornkop. The information was operationalised and police proceeded to the house. A man aged 44 was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Investigation led the police to another house in Doornkop where the second suspect, aged 45, was found in possession of an unlicensed short gun. Both suspects were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Still in Johannesburg, on Monday, police arrested a gang suspected to be behind a string of hijackings in Gauteng. The suspects are linked to cases of hijackings that took place in Roodepoort, Honeydew, Douglasdale, Randburg, Naledi, Alberton and Boksburg, recently.
Police received information that the gang was going to commit yet another hijacking in Roodepoort, police kept close observation and pounced on the gang. Four suspects aged between 29 and 51 were intercepted. Suspects were found with an Audi that has chassis numbers tempered with, a Jetta used in the commission of crime as well as unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Other firearms were recovered in different districts within the province. All the recovered firearms will be taken for the ballistic tests, to determine if they were not used in the commission of other crimes.
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