In the early hours of yesterday, 2 February 2017, SAPS Ilembe Cluster Task Team and Empangeni Public Order Police conducted an operation at Nyamazane area, Maphumulo aimed at eliminating the proliferation of illegal firearms. They proceeded to a homestead where they found a 44-year-old male in possession of a 9mm pistol with six live rounds of ammunition.
Whilst other members were outside the homestead, the suspect’s brother fired shots at the police who retaliated. During the exchange of gunfire, a police officer was shot and injured and the suspect was also shot and injured. The police officer was taken to hospital for medical treatment whereas the suspect was also taken under police guard. The 44-year-old was charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and his injured brother will be charged for attempted murder. They will appear in the Maphumulo Magistrates’ Court soon and the seized firearm will be subjected for ballistic testing.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa commended the police on the operation. “Similar operations will continue in our province to root-out the spread of illegal firearms,” he said.
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