A joint intelligence driven operation was conducted by the South African Police Service in Nebo to trace suspects in possession of unlicensed firearms in the Nebo policing precinct under Sekhukhune District on Tuesday 18 April 2023.
The operation was spearheaded by the Station Commander Colonel Manasoe together with Detectives Unit and Crime Prevention members.
During the operation, police received information about a 33-year-old male suspect who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm at Makhutso village and immediately rushed to the vicinity. Upon arrival police found the suspect seated at his residence and requested to search him.
Police found the suspect in possession of a firearm with no ammunition and was placed under arrest after he failed to produce the legal documents of the firearm.
A 29-year-old male suspect is also facing charges of defeating the end of justice after he allegedly assisted a 34-year-old suspect to evade an arrest while police were searching for him at a local car wash. The suspect allegedly called his accomplice in police presence unaware that they were monitoring him. He was nabbed and managed to reveal the location of the suspect who was at his hideout in Eenkantaan village.
Afterwards, police proceeded to Eenkantaan village and arrested a 34-year-old old male suspect who was found smoking dagga in public and in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was also wanted in connection with a burglary incident that was committed earlier in Nebo policing area.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has praised the swift reaction by the police for ridding the area of unlicensed firearms which fell in wrong hands and were intended to be used to commit serious crimes.
The suspects will appear before the Nebo Magistrate court in due course.
Police investigations are continuing.
