| 2022/08/21 |
Media Statement GQEBERHA - It is a known fact that illegal firearms are central in the commission of various serious and violent crimes which in many instances result in the loss of lives therefore efforts by operational police members to remove these firearms from the wrong hands must be continuous. Since 01 August 2022 to date, police in Gqeberha have successfully removed and confiscated a total of 37 firearms from the hands of criminals. Patrolling hotspot areas, tracking movements of known criminals/gangsters and a good informer network contributed to these successes. The seizures and arrests were executed this weekend in the Bethesldorp, Kwanobuhle and Kwadwesi policing areas. In the last week alone, Anti-Gang Unit members confiscated seven firearms, five homemade firearms and a replica firearm within the metro. During the early hours of Thursday morning, 18 August 2022 at about 00:40, Anti-Gang Unit members executed a search warrant at a house in Mama Street in Kwanobuhle where a .38 revolver and two rounds of ammunition was found in a room. The serial number was filed off. An enquiry docket was opened for further investigation. On Friday evening, 19 August 2022 at about 22:00, SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention Unit members were patrolling in one of the gang hotspot areas in Prinsloo Street in Arcadia when they spotted a male running. The members chased after him and as he ran, he removed a firearm from his waist and tossed it into a yard. He was apprehended and a 9mm pistol (serial number filed off) with ammunition were confiscated. The 25-year-old suspect was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 August 2022. The assiduous efforts by Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention Unit members paid off once again as they squeeze the space of gang members in their area. At about 19:05 on Saturday, 20 August 2022, while patrolling in Lingelihle Street in Timothy Valley, they spotted a known gang member and when he saw the police vehicle, he started running. He was apprehended and upon searching him, a 9mm pistol (serial number filed off) was found in his possession. He was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm. The 28-year-old gang affiliate is expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 August 2022. A 9mm pistol was also recovered after police attended a crime scene during the early hours of this morning, in Kwadwesi. It is alleged that an unknown male, approximately 30 years old was found lying next to his bakkie in Blackburn Road in Govan Mbeki. While processing the crime scene, the firearm was found on the deceased. A case of murder as well an illegal possession of firearm and ammunition is under investigation. The Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata commended the persistent efforts of all the members in their pursuit of ridding communities of illicit firearms. “Firearms are a weapon of choice for criminals and we, the SAPS will not stop in ensuring that these illegal weapons are taken out of the hands of these felons. All of these confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they have been used in the commission of other crimes or not,’ added Maj Gen Ncata. Ends
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