Police officers from Public Order Police in KwaZulu-Natal, Tactical Response Team with the Provincial Task Team conducted operations from 4 to 24 January 2019 aimed at eradicating the proliferation of firearms in the province. Operations were conducted in the policing areas within the Uthukela, Umzinyathi and King Cetshwayo Clusters.
Suspects were arrested within the Ezakheni, Amangwe, Ladysmith, Upper Tugela, Estcourt, Weneen, Msinga, Matimatolo, Kranskop, Greytown, Esikhaleni, Empangeni, Richards Bay and Nkandla police stations for murder, kidnapping, attempted murder, robbery, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs as well as possession of suspected stolen property.
A total of 64 firearms including rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers with a total of 385 rounds of ammunitions were confiscated from the suspects and others were found abandoned.
Eight stolen motor vehicles and more than five kilograms of cocaine were recovered.
Suspects were charged and they appeared in different magistrates courts. Recovered firearms will be subjected for ballistic testing to determine if they were used in any other crime in the country.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
