VARIOUS clusters within the KwaZulu-Natal province – including eThekwini inner north, Ethekwini inner south, Ilembe, Uthukela, Umzinyathi and Uthungulu – embarked on a successful week-long operation to confiscate unlicensed firearms.
According to Lt Nqobile Gwala, provincial police spokesperson, the operations took place from 7 until 13 February. “The operations yielded fruitful results when 37 unlicensed firearms and 207 live rounds of ammunition were confiscated. A total of 37 suspects were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They appeared in the various magistrates’ courts across the province,” Gwala explained.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni, praised the members for the recovery of the firearms. “Although many firearms have been recovered from the hands of the criminals over the past few months, it still remains a concern that criminals are using firearms to commit crime. We will ensure that all those possessing unlicensed firearms are brought to book,” she said.