By Augustine Ehikioya
To stamp out crimes, Police officials in South Africa have arrested seven suspects for being in possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and drugs.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Western Cape. It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It said “Continued efforts to rid our streets from illicit firearms and drugs yielded positive results when members attached to different units arrested seven suspects whom were found in possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and drugs.
“Police members of Maitland Flying Squad were busy with patrols on the R300 freeway on Tuesday 24 January, 2023 when they noticed a vehicle that fitted the description of a vehicle that was hijacked earlier in the day.
“The members gave chase and managed to stop the vehicle. They ensued with a search of the vehicle as well as the occupants. They found and confiscated a revolver with ammunition and arrested the five occupants on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and the possession of a stolen motor vehicle.”
The statement also said that in an unrelated incident Police members conducted an intelligence driven operation on Tuesday 24 January, 2023, where they searched a house in Wilger Plain, Delft South and confiscated a revolver and a 9mm pistol with ammunition.
*They subsequently arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with the discovery,” it said.
It also said that Delft Police members were busy with patrols in Blikkiesdorp in the early hours of Wednesday 25 January, 2023 when they noticed a suspicious man carrying a backpack.
“The unknown male fled when he noticed the patrol vehicle. The members gave chase on foot and apprehended the man when he ran into a shack.
“He was searched and found to be in possession of a 7.65 pistol with ammunition and drugs. The 28 year old suspect faces a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as dealing in drugs.”
When charged, the statement said, the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Blue Downs, and Bellville Magistrate Court’s on the mentioned charges.