The number of unlicensed firearms recently recovered from criminals proves the South African Police Service (SAPS) is committed to eradicating illegal firearms, KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen Bheki Langa said on Sunday.
“Such operations will be carried [out] throughout the province to eliminate the firearms in possession of the suspects,” he said.
This comes after the King Cetshwayo police cluster launched a special operation on November 10, SAPS KwaZulu-Natal spokesman Captain Nqobile Gwala said.
“The members conducted [a] roadblock on John Ross Highway, Empangeni, when they stopped a suspicious white Nissan 1400 bakkie with six occupants. Upon searching the vehicle two unlicensed firearms with 17 live rounds of ammunitions were recovered.”
The firearms would be subjected to ballistic testing. The arrested suspects were aged between 25 and 42 and had already appeared in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
They were remanded in custody until November 18 for a formal bail application. The suspects would be profiled to see if they were linked to other cases committed in Richards Bay and surrounding areas, Gwala said.
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