Anti-Gang Unit members are turning up the heat on criminals who are seen scurrying in all directions whenever they spot a police vehicle.
On Tuesday, 22 June 2021, three firearms were recovered in the hotspot areas in Bethelsorp and Zwide. At about 09:30 in the morning, AGU was patrolling in the Old Bethelsdorp vicinity when they noticed an unknown male wearing dark clothing walking towards Reed Street. As soon as he noticed the police vehicle, he started to run and disappeared into bushes in Standford Road. The members made inquiries and conducted searches in the immediate location of the fleeing suspect. A 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition was found at the corners of Church and Reed Streets.
At about 11:35, AGU members received information about a person who was allegedly robbing people in Kruisman Street in Zwide. As members tactically approached an abandoned house in James Street, a group of males emerged and started running in different directions. Upon searching the place, a 7.65 pistol, various rounds of ammunition (46), and 4 magazines were found inside a pillowcase.
The third firearm was recovered at about 15:10 in Chatty 12 in Bethelsdorp. It is alleged that AGU members followed up on information received that a male will be delivering a firearm to a shop in Chatty 12. The alleged suspect was soon spotted walking towards the shop. As soon as he saw the police vehicle, he started running with police hot on his heels. He disposed of the firearm and disappeared between the houses. A Colt Browning with 6 rounds of ammunition was seized.
In all three cases, inquiry dockets were opened. Ownership of firearms is yet to be determined. The firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis.
Also on 21 June 2021, at about 14:30, AGU members arrested a 20-year-old male on charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of ammunition in Acadian Street in Missionvale. It is alleged that members responded to a shooting incident in Old Uitenhage Road, Missionvale where a 20-year-old male was wounded in his buttocks. Immediately follow-up of information received resulted in the arrest of the first suspect who was found in possession of two rounds of ammunition.
The second suspect (20) was also arrested in Acadian Street and detained on a charge of attempted murder.
Both suspects will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 23 June 2021 on their respective charges.
The efforts of AGU members in stamping their authority on criminals through high police visibility in the hotspot areas is evident in the successes achieved in the last two days.