Empangeni – One of KwaZulu-Natal's most wanted criminal suspects has been arrested in the Empangeni area near Richard's Bay in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Sunday.
King Cetshwayo policing cluster detectives conducted an intelligence-driven operation on Friday after receiving information about "their most wanted suspect who is allegedly involved in hijacking government vehicles in the area", Lt-Col Thulani Zwane said.
The officers went to the Dumisani Makhaya area where they spotted an Isuzu double cab bakkie fitting the description given to them. "There were three occupants in the vehicle and it was searched. Three handguns with ammunition were seized. One of the suspects was identified as the most wanted suspect for hijackings and all three were arrested and charged for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition."
The recovered firearms would be sent for ballistics tests to establish whether they were used in any other crimes in the country.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 40, would appear in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Zwane said.
KwaZulu-Natal acting police commissioner Maj-Gen Bheki Langa welcomed the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of unlicensed firearms.
"I also praise the community members who raised an alarm about [the] wanted suspect in the area and informed the police. The information provided by the community was appreciated and played a crucial role in recovering unlicensed firearms," he said.