Johannesburg – Sixteen illegal firearms, including a revolver, a rifle, and various pistols, were recovered by police and 18 people were arrested during weekend crime prevention operations, Gauteng police said on Sunday.
The firearms were recovered in Moffatview, Sandton, Atteridgeville, Midrand, Eden Park, Jeppe, Johannesburg Central, and Orange Farm, among others, spokesman Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said.
Those arrested would be charged with possession of unlicensed firearms when they appear in various magistrate's courts on Monday, he said.
"In one of the incidents in Sandton, an owner of a restaurant, a woman, and an employee, a man, were off-loading goods from a vehicle. They were attacked by two men, one armed with a knife and the other with a firearm.
"The woman was stabbed and the employee was shot in the upper body and died at the scene. The suspects fled without taking anything. One suspect who had a firearm was pointed out by members of the community and arrested not far from the scene of the crime. A firearm was recovered."
He would be charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm when he appears in court on Monday. The woman who was stabbed was treated at a local hospital and discharged.
During stop-and-search operations In Moffatview, Jeppe, and Nelmapius, police searched suspicious people and vehicles. Unlicensed pistols were seized and suspects arrested, Dlamini said.
Police appealed to members of the community to report any suspicious vehicles and people. Information could be given to Crime Stop at 08600-10111 or the nearest police station at all hours.
Information that may lead to the arrest of suspects involved in serious and violent crimes may be rewarded.
African News Agency