In a recent operation aimed at curbing illegal firearm possession in the Eastern Cape, police in the OR Tambo District arrested three men in separate incidents in Bityi on Saturday, 2 November 2024. The suspects, found with unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and large sums of cash, were apprehended during coordinated stop-and-search operations and a tip-off response.
In the first incident, Mthatha Public Order Police stopped a Ford Ranger bakkie carrying two men, aged 31 and 56, around 23:30 in the Nkrancolo locality. Upon searching the vehicle, officers uncovered three unlicensed firearms, including an R5 rifle, a 9mm pistol, and a gas pistol, each with erased serial numbers, as well as ammunition and a significant amount of cash. The late-night stop-and-search routine proved effective, with police removing these potentially dangerous weapons from circulation.
In a separate operation earlier that day, officers acted on a tip-off regarding illegal firearms possession, arresting a 45-year-old man from the same locality around 11:00. He was found with an unlicensed 9mm pistol with erased serial numbers and ammunition, further underscoring the ongoing problem of unlicensed weapon possession in the region.
All three suspects appeared in Bityi Regional Court on Monday, 4 November 2024, where they were remanded in custody. They are scheduled to reappear on 11 November 2024 for their formal bail applications.
The Eastern Cape’s OR Tambo District police have emphasized their commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety through these types of operations. The recent arrests serve as a stern reminder that police will continue to enforce strict measures against illegal firearm possession, which poses a grave threat to community security in the region.
