Armed with information about suspected hitmen in the taxi industry, the EMPD Specialised Weapons and Tactics Unit members recently apprehended three men and seized two loaded unlicensed 9mm pistols in Tsakane.
The operation was carried out in conjunction with the SAPS Provincial Taxi Violence Task Team.
SWAT Unit members swooped on a house with multiple backyard rooms at 3.30am on Thursday, last week.
“Although numerous loud knocks by the metro police on all the back rooms yielded no response, the police could hear movements within the rooms,” explained EMPD spokesperson Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago.
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“The police were compelled to bring down the doors and to deploy pepper spray.
“Next to the door, a loaded 9mm pistol was found on a chair.
“Two occupants – a male and female – were found in the dark room.
“The male was arrested, and pointed out another room within the premises where he said the police would find another firearm.”
In the room, another 9mm pistol was found hidden in a mattress.
Two male suspects found in the room were handcuffed.
According to Kgasago, one of the arrested trio had been on the run sought for two charges of murders and for escaping from a high court.
The men, aged 27, 28 and 35, were detained at the Tsakane Police Station on charges of being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Both recovered firearms had their serial numbers filed off.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court soon.
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