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OR Tambo District clamping down on the proliferation of illegal firearms

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Confiscating illegal firearms helps make our communities safer by reducing the potential for violent crimes. It’s a positive step towards promoting public safety and protecting innocent lives therefore police in the OR Tambo district has left no stone unturned in eradicating illegal firearms and arresting suspects.

Several successes and confiscations were achieved in the district with significant arrests.

On Thursday 27 July 2023 at about 13:00 members were performing special operations on the R61 road between Port St John’s and Libode at the Ngqongweni junction when a white Iveco minibus bus and trailer was stopped at a vehicle checkpoint. All passengers and the vehicle were searched. A pistol was found in possession of a 31-year-old passenger. Police also confiscated three bags of dagga belonging to the same passenger. The man was travelling from Lusikisiki to Cape Town. The suspect was detained on charges of resisting arrest, possession of prohibited firearm and possession of dagga.

On Friday, 28 July 2023 at about 02:30, an intelligence driven operation was conducted by SAPS Bityi where a well-known criminal from Krancolo location, aged 19-year-old, was arrested. A search warrant was executed at his home and a 9mm pistol (serial number erased) was recovered. The suspect was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm. Detectives are busy probing possible links cases of house robberies.

Also on Friday,28 July 2023 in an intelligence driven operation, three suspects were arrested, and two firearms and ammunition were recovered at Ndwalane loc, Goqwana A/A, Lusiskisiki. A 52-year-old man was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm (R5) while another suspect (23) was arrested for possession of ammunition (83 rounds). A 46-year-old man was also arrested for failing to safeguard his firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act.

Between 28 July 2023, 18:00 to 29 July 2023, 02:00, Operation Shanela was executed in Madeira, Mthatha, Ngangelizwe, Ngqeleni and Libode policing areas. Several taverns were visited. One person (65) was arrested for selling liquor without a licence in Madeira. Ten bottles of wine and 33 bottles of beer were confiscated.

All the confiscated firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis. The suspects are expected to appear in their respective courts soon.

OR Tambo District Commissioner, Maj Gen Pumzile Cetyana added that the men and women in blue are working hard in clamping down on the proliferation of firearms. ‘Taking these weapons out of circulation can contribute to a more peaceful and secure society for everyone. There are too many illegal firearms in circulation within our communities and every effort must be made to confiscate these weapons. A united effort from both community and police is essential to effectively combat the proliferation of illegal firearms,’ added Maj Gen Cetyana.

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