Police arrested two suspects aged 44 and 33, who are reported to be selling out firearms and ammunition to the criminals in Alexandra and Cosmo City. The suspects were found in possession of more than 20 rounds of ammunition and four unlicensed firearms.
Members of South African Police Service Crime Intelligence in Gauteng and the Honeydew Tracing Team received a tip-off about people who are dealing in illegal firearms in Alexandra and Cosmo City. An intelligence-driven operation was conducted where the police pounced on the identified houses. The first search was conducted in a house in Cosmo City where the police found a firearm with serial numbers filed off, and a magazine. One suspect was arrested.
The information led the police to the second house in Alexandra. Upon searching the house and the suspect, police recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition that includes a 9mm pistol, a 9mm Uzzi, 38 special, and more than 20 rounds of ammunition.
Suspects are facing charges of dealing and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. It was also established that the suspects were previously arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms.
As the police continued with the fight against the proliferation of firearms in Gauteng, another suspect, aged 33, was arrested in Rietgat, Tshwane, on Tuesday 19 July 2022, after he was found with an unlicensed firearm. The suspect is alleged to be involved in hijackings and robberies in the area.
The police are working with the community to recover the weapons that are used in the commission of serious and violent crimes in Alexandra and other parts of Gauteng.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, commended the team that is working so hard to arrest suspects and recover illegal firearms that are in circulation and thanked the community members that are coming forward to provide police with information.
“The improved working relationship with our communities and sharing of information is beginning to give us the desired outcome of addressing the proliferation of firearms and violent, crimes,” said Lieutenant General Mawela.