An illegal or unlawful firearm recovered or seized by police is a success as this shows that one more firearm is out of the hands of criminals.

In the last week police in Nelson Mandela Bay metro recovered a total of 19 firearms.

The latest recovery of firearms were effected in the Kwazakele and Mount Road policing areas yesterday, 29 June 2021 respectively. In the first incident, at about 11:45, a detective officer from SAPS Kwazakele followed up on information received about a firearm in New Brighton. An R5 rifle, a magazine and 20 rounds of ammunition were found in a bag at a dumping site in the area. No suspect arrested.

The second firearm, a Taurus pistol (serial number filed off) was recovered yesterday afternoon in a vehicle at the corners of Voyle and Stebonheath Roads in Sydenham. SAPS Mount Road members followed up information received and a 29- year-old male was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He is expected to appear in court soon.

Both firearms will be sent to ballistics for testing. Ownership of the rifle is yet to be determined.

Acting District Commissioner for NMB, Brig Thandiswa Kupiso commended the police officers in the district for the recovery of these firearms. ‘Our police officers will not waiver in our mission to eradicate the proliferation of illegal firearms in the metro. We applaud the communities for their anonymous ‘tip offs’ and we urge them to continue to assist us with information so that we, as law enforcement can act against these criminals and deprive them of their weapons. The proliferation of firearms remains an operational priority for the police hence we will do everything in our power to reduce the circulation of illegal firearms and to effectively protect our communities,’ added Brig Kupiso.

Source: South African Police Service