GQEBERHA – Police in Nelson Mandela Bay continue clamping down on illegal firearms as well as on legal firearm owners who are negligent when in possession thereof.
During this weekend a total of 7 firearms were recovered or confiscated.
During the early hours of Friday morning, 07 October 2022, Anti-Gang Unit members arrested a 25-year-old male in 7de Laan in Humansdorp on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. It is alleged that at about 02:15, a search warrant was executed at the house and a .38 revolver and ammunition was found on the suspect
On Saturday, 8 October 2022 at about 23:20 while police were conducting special operations in Kwanobuhle, they received and acted on information of three males allegedly in possession of firearms and are drunk at a local food outlet. The information was followed up and three male occupants in a VW Polo were searched and three legal firearms were found in their possession. The men were arrested and charged in terms of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, sec 120(4) – possession/handling a firearm whilst under the influence of alcohol. Their firearms were confiscated.
In another incident, on Sunday, 09 October 2022, at about 15:00, SAPS Uitenhage Crime Prevention members were busy with stop and search operations in the hotspot areas in central when they noticed a suspicious looking male facing a wall and his back towards the police members. On searching the male (in his thirties), a 9mm pistol was found in his possession. He was arrested and detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
While SAPS Chatty members were doing high visibility patrols in the gang hotspot areas on Sunday, 9 October 2022 at about 09:00, they acted on information received of a suspicious male allegedly in possession of a firearm. The suspect was spotted in Harker Street and when he noticed the police vehicle, he started to run. He was apprehended and a 9mm pistol (serial number filed off) was arrested. He was detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
During this morning, 10 October 2022 at about 07:20, while Anti-Gang Unit members were on patrol in Voisen Road in Helenvale, they stopped and searched a 35 year old male. A 9mm pistol was found tucked in his pants. He was arrested and detained on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
All the firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis and the suspects will either be appearing in the respective courts today or in the week.
Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata has once again applauded the positive efforts of the members in the metro.
Source: South African Police Service