An operation was conducted in the early hours of 22 January 2021, at Nhlawe area in Weenen by the Weenen Detectives assisted by Durban Public Order Police and Uthukela Cluster Crime Intelligence.
The aim of the operation was to root-out illegal firearms at the hands of the criminals and to prevent the loss of lives caused by the abuse of illegal firearms. The team went to two homesteads where a search was conducted. At the first homestead, the police conducted a search and a 25-year-old man was found in possession of a rifle with three rounds of ammunition. The suspect was then placed under arrest.
They proceeded to the second homestead, where a total of three suspects were found sleeping in a rondavel. Upon searching the house, the suspects were found in possession of a rifle, shotgun as well as 14 rounds of ammunition. All the three suspects were placed under arrest for possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The arrested suspects will be profiled to check if they are involved in faction fighting and murder cases reported in Weenen and surrounding areas. The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing. All the four suspects are expected to appear before the Weenen Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 25 January 2021.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula hailed the team for the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the illegal firearms. “Many lives have been lost due to violent crimes caused by illegal possession of firearms. The team will continue with their good work and make sure that all those who possess illegal firearms are brought to book,” he said.
