PORT ELIZABETH - CRIME DEALT A BLOW AS POLICE SEIZE ILLEGAL FIREARMS ACROSS NELSON MANDELA BAY

The continuous recovery of illegal firearms is a result of intensified crime prevention operations and intelligence collection.

Multi-disciplinary teams including the Anti-Gang Unit, Public Order Policing, Tactical Response Team, Metro Police, Crime Intelligence; Detectives and Provincial Organised Crime Unit  ensured that  a total  9 firearms were seized from the hands of criminals in the Northern areas.

On Monday, 16 December 2019 at about 09:00, AGU members were engaged in a disruptive search at a house in Nkuthazweni Street in Kwanoxolo when they discovered a shotgun in house under the bed.  Nineteen (19) shotgun rounds and a small quantity of dagga was also found in the shack next to the house. A 19 year old teenager was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The firearm was reported stolen in Walmer in August 2019.

Also on Monday, 16 December 2019 at about 14:30, AGU members followed up on information received and searched a shop in Ngcangca Street in Kwazakele. A 6.35 baby browning firearm was found hidden in a door panel. The firearm was reported stolen in Kabega Park in December 2013. An enquiry docket is opened for further investigation.

On Sunday, 15 December 2019 at about 11:00, AGU members were conducting disruptive searches in Ext 21 in Bethelsdorp when they searched a known gang member in Kinsman Street.  A 9mm pistol was found in his possession. Serial number filed off. The 20-year-old suspect was detained for possession of a prohibited firearm.

On Sunday, 15 December 2019 at about 21:30, the team acted on information received of firearms hidden at a house in Mpuku Street in Kwanoxolo. The house was thoroughly searched and a revolver (no serial number) and 13 rounds of ammunition was found wrapped in a cloth in the engine of a bakkie parked in the yard under the bonnet. No arrest and an enquiry docket was opened.

In a second incident on the same evening at about 22:15, members searched a house in Emazotshweni Street in Kwanoxolo and the following was recovered:
1x Rossi 12 Gauge  Double barrel Shotgun- barrels cut short
9x 12 Gauge Shotgun cartridges
1x 9mm Magazine
14 x 9mm cartridges
1x 38 Special revolver cartridge
1x Empty Revolver Cartridge case
38 special revolver parts

The double barrel shotgun was reported stolen in Walmer in 2019. No one was arrested and the cell phone of one of the occupant’s was also confiscated.

At about 00:20 on Sunday morning, 15 December 2019, the Anti-Gang Unit, Tactical Response Team and Public Order Policing members acted on the information received and swooped in on a house in Eucomus Street in Kleinskool. The house and  yard was thoroughly searched and a firearm, .38 revolver and five rounds of ammunition  was found in the rear bumper of a  broken vehicle in the yard while the other, a 9mm pistol  with 11 rounds of ammunition was found  outside between a beam and the plastic cover under a roof tile.  Fifteen rounds of ammunition was also found wedged in a gap of a wall of the house.

The serial number of the revolver is filed off while ownership of the second firearm is being verified. No one was arrested and an enquiry docket is opened for further investigation.

Two legal firearms (.38 special and a 9mm pistol) were also confiscated during the early hours of Saturday morning, 14 December 2019, while police were executing a search warrant in relation to drugs at a house in Pincushion Street in Bethelsdorp

All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the respective magistrates’ courts on Tuesday, 17 December 2019.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga complimented the multi-disciplinary teams operating in the Northern areas.

“These confiscations is an indication that every endeavour is made by our members to reduce the proliferation of unlawful firearms from the hands of criminals and to ensure a safer festive season for our communities. We have warned criminals that we will be breathing down their necks and that our presence WILL be felt everywhere they (the criminals) move.  I also encourage those in possession of illegal or unwanted firearms to hand them over voluntarily to their nearest police station during this Amnesty period  which ends in March 2020, knowing that they will not be prosecuted,” added Lt Gen Ntshinga

via - SAPS