| 2023/07/12 |
Media Statement
WESTERN CAPE - The special focus to permanently remove unlicensed firearms which threatens the safety of communities from the streets yielded excellent results when police confiscated two firearms as well as several rounds of ammunition and arrested three suspects for their unlawful possession thereof along the N2 outside George. On Wednesday, 12 July 2023, Garden Route District Crime Combatting Team joined by various other units conducted a roadblock near the entrance to George where they pulled over a black Mercedes Benz. A thorough search of the vehicle ensued when the vigilant members found a firearm with two rounds of ammunition concealed in a black bag under the seat. Another firearm with 15 rounds of ammunition was also discovered stashed in the glove storage compartment of the vehicle. All three occupants of the vehicle were arrested on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Preliminary investigation into the find reveals that one of the firearms was stolen during a robbery near Paarl during 2021. The origin of the other firearm is yet to be established. The suspects aged between 27 and 35 are from Cape Town and will remain in police custody. They will appear in the George Magistrates’ court later this week on the mentioned charges. The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, commended the members for their diligence to remove firearms from the streets. He said: “unlicensed firearms in the hands of criminals pose a major threat to the overall safety of law abiding citizens. The strategic deployment along entry and exit routes to this province will be maintained. These efforts forms part of the special focus to curb the trafficking of unlicensed firearms, drugs and illicit goods into the Province. It is indeed yielding excellent results”, Lt Gen Patekile concluded. Ends
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