Cape Town – Four people were arrested and seven unlicensed firearms confiscated during a police operation in Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday morning.
Provincial police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said in a statement: “In the early hours of this morning, at about 1:00, members of Empangeni Crime Intelligence together with members of SAPS National Mobile Train Unit Durban conducted an intelligence driven operation at Ophondweni area at Mtubatuba following information of unlicensed firearms including ammunition. Several homesteads were searched in the area.
“During the operation seven unlicensed firearms including 17 live ammunition for different firearms were recovered. Four suspects aged between 22 and 53 years old were arrested. Two shotguns, two revolvers and three pistols recovered. One of the firearms recovered is suspected to be a police issued pistol but with scratched serial number.
“The firearms are suspected to be used to commit crimes such as murders, robberies, taxi violence and faction fighting. These weapons will be forwarded to ballistics for examination to establish if they were not used in other crimes.
“One of the suspects arrested is at taxi owner at Mtubatuba and he was found with four unlicensed firearms in his possession which were a shotgun, two .38 revolvers and a pistol with ammunition. All arrested suspects were taken to KwaMsane Police station where they were charged for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They will appear before KwaMsane magistrate court on Monday 25 May 2015.”
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “We encourage members of our communities to work closer with police to eradicate the practice of people, especially in the rural areas, who keep illegal firearms with impunity. Often communities know of these individuals and only report them to police if they or their families are in conflict with the person. Communities need to be proactive as there is no excuse for any person to keep an illegal firearm.” - ANA