Pretoria - Police in Sinoville have nabbed a trigger-happy man who was caught on a widely circulated video firing multiple shots into the air at the Doornpoort toll plaza.
The suspect has been on the run since the December incident and was eventually arrested on Tuesday at his Pretoria North residence following a month-long search by the police.
The incident was captured in video footage, which went viral on social media on December 20.
The 10-second clip shows the man firing several shots into the air while a group of people shouted "jou man se p**s" in the background.
The incident happened in full view of motorists, who waited to drive through the tollgate.
Shaken with fear, an occupant inside a nearby bakkie, hid his face as the man fired several shots in the air.
None of the people at the scene opened a case against the gunman.
Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said: "A case docket was opened by police at Sinoville police station and a tracing team immediately commenced with a search for the suspect. After following several leads, the suspect was identified."
The suspect was found in possession of nine unlicensed firearms and more than 100 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
Masondo said the suspect was charged with discharging a firearm in a public space and being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
"These firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to determine if they have been used in the commission of other crimes," he said.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Tommy Mthombeni commended the police for their tireless efforts that led to the suspect's arrest.
"I hold in high regard the police officers who worked around the clock to trace the suspect. Those who disobey the laws of the country and ignore the call by the government to surrender illegal and unwanted firearms during the amnesty period will be dealt with decisively," Mthombeni said.
Sinoville station commander Colonel Maria Roberts said: "They have spent long hours away from their families to make sure they apprehended the suspect."
Pretoria News