In a significant operation, the police have confiscated nine firearms across three districts of the Eastern Cape province. The affected areas include O.R. Tambo, Chris Hani, and Joe Gqabi, with the recovery efforts spanning from Monday to Tuesday.
According to a police report issued on Tuesday at 10 o’clock, the Tactical Response Team in the Chris Hani district conducted raids on three residences in Mhlophekazi. Acting on intelligence regarding illegal firearms, the team apprehended three suspects aged between 28 and 58. The suspects have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, with the recovery of three 9mm pistols and two revolvers.
Meanwhile, in the Joe Gqabi district, authorities from the Public Order Policing unit arrested a 25-year-old individual in Mrwabo village, Maclear, for possessing a firearm unlawfully, with the serial number tampered with. In Majola, Port St Johns, the collaborative efforts of the Tactical Response Team and Crime Intelligence led to the arrest of a 45-year-old suspect and the seizure of homemade firearms in Tyityane village.
In a separate incident early this morning, a 40-year-old man was apprehended in the Maholoni area of Slovo Park, Mthatha, after a 9X19mm BXP machine gun was discovered in his possession, along with fifteen bullets. Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended the arrests, emphasizing that each apprehension contributes to reducing fear in the community by removing suspects from the streets.
