The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng recovered more than fifty unlicensed firearms and at least 180 live rounds of ammunition between March 8 and March 10, 2024.
These illegal firearms were recovered during integrated crime combatting operations that include Operation Shanela and stop-and-searches in the province. In contrast, others were recovered through the tip-offs from residents in the area.
On Friday, March 8, 2024, police from Crime Intelligence Unit received information about gangsters heading for a shoot-out around Eldorado Park, Johannesburg District.
Police found two pistols, magazines, and more than forty-five live rounds of ammunition after the suspect’s vehicle was spotted and stopped in Eldorado Park.
The vehicle driven by the suspects was reported to be stolen in Kagiso. Three suspects were arrested in Orange Farms, Sedibeng District, on Sunday, March 10, 2024, after they were found with two unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
In a related development, 3 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in Atteridgeville, Tshwane District, after they were found with an unlicensed firearm and eleven rounds of ammunition on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Police received information about a tuckshop owner who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Atteridgeville. On Saturday, police proceeded to the suspect’s tuckshop. Upon searching the premises, police found an unlicensed firearm and more than 10 rounds of live ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said:
“The recovery of these weapons will contribute to the reduction of crime in the province, as most of the violent crimes like business robberies and car hijackings are committed by suspects who are armed with unlicensed firearms.” said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.
All the recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic analysis to determine whether they are linked to other crimes.
