DURBAN - THREE suspects are appearing before the Verulam Magistrate’s Court this morning for breaching the lockdown curfew and unlawful possession of firearms in Phoenix, north of Durban.
According to the South African Police Service, the suspects were arrested at 2am. Two of the suspects are facing charges in connection with unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said Phoenix police officers were conducting patrols in their police precinct when they spotted a vehicle parked outside a tavern.
She said that while the team were patrolling along Grove-End Drive, they saw a vehicle with three men in it in the parking lot.
Gwala said the vehicle was approached and a search was conducted.
On searching the men, police found three firearms with ammunition, Gwala said.
“A 27-year-old suspect was found in possession of a licensed firearm with 31 rounds of ammunition. He was charged in terms of the Disaster Management Act while his firearm was seized,” she said.
The other two suspects, aged 23 and 26, were found in possession of a revolver and a pistol with 23 rounds of ammunition.
“They were charged for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as contravention of the Disaster Management Act,” said Gwala.
The recovered firearms would be subjected to ballistic tests.
This would be done in order to ascertain if they were used in commission of serious offences in the country.
Ten suspects appeared in the same court yesterday facing multiple charges related to the recent unrest.
More than 22 people have been killed in Phoenix with scores left injured while more than 20 vehicles were torched during roadblocks created by residents.
THE MERCURY