KwaZulu-Natal police’s determination to eradicate the proliferation of illegal firearms in the province continues to yield positive results. Yesterday an intelligence-driven operation was held in Ulundi, where local police together with the Tactical Response Team, K9 Unit and Public Order Police arrested 12 suspects and seized 12 firearms as well as various assorted rounds of ammunition.
When members of the community reported suspicious activities at a specific homestead in the KwaGqikazi area, police immediately acted. Police stormed the homestead taking the men by surprise. Police seized a stolen vehicle as well as six (06) AK47 rifles, two (02) Luger rifles, an R5 rifle, a revolver, two (02) pistols and more than 120 rounds of ammunition.
Initial investigations indicate that one of the pistols was taken during a robbery at a business in Vryheid earlier this month, while the vehicle they were in possession of was stolen from Diepkloof in February this year. Indications are that they were in the area to undergo a “cleansing ceremony” for crimes that they have allegedly committed when police swooped on them. Detectives are confident that once the suspects are profiled, they might be linked to a number of high profile murders and robberies committed in the province recently.
The 12 men aged between 23 and 46 were charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as possession of stolen property and are expected to appear in the Ulundi Magistrates Court later today. #GunsOffTheStreets #CrimeMustFall
