Former officer and SAPS clerk arrested for illegal weapons
A FORMER police officer and a clerk were among a number of suspects arrested in recent days for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said in a stop-and-search operation in Harare, Khayelitsha, on Wednesday, police discovered six unlicensed firearms, large quantities of ammunition and police uniform items. Four arrests were made.
“Members of the team searched a vehicle with two occupants earlier in the evening and found an unlicensed firearm.
“Two suspects were arrested. “Further investigations led the police contingent to the suspects' house in Kuyasa where an additional five unlicensed firearms, ammunition and other items including police uniform were discovered.
“Two more suspects were arrested,” Potelwa said.
In total, four pistols, a hunting rifle, a shotgun, two imitation firearms and an assortment of rounds of ammunition were seized.
Police uniform items, projectiles, pistol primers, a firearm reloading machine and cartridges were also confiscated.
“In total, four suspects, including a former policeman and an SAPS administrative clerk, were arrested,” Potelwa said.
The suspects, aged between 23 and 26, will appear in court today on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“As the investigation continues more charges could be added,” Potelwa said.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana meanwhile said Mitchells Plain police followed up on information about firearms at a house in Nile Way, Portlands.
On arrival at the address, they found a man with two backpacks in his possession.
A search was conducted and four firearms with ammunition, and two laptops with accessories and other items were confiscated.
A 28-year-old suspect was arrested.
In another incident, police acted on information about firearms at an address in Wendy Crescent, Tafelsig.
Police searched a wendy house in the backyard and found two firearms and 79 rounds of ammunition.
Two suspects aged 29 and 32 were arrested.
Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the recent arrests of the former officer and clerk were disgraceful, and caused further mistrust between police, who remained committed to serve with dignity, and the public.
“We are opposed to any form of criminality, and accept that those given the authority to provide safety and security for South African residents should never be the same people who are found to be in the wrong and working against their mandate.
“All rogue elements should be rooted out, and relations improved with communities so we can together combat socio-economic and crime challenges,” said Mamabolo.