Ivory Park police arrested a man for the alleged possession of an unlicensed firearm and one round of live ammunition on 8 July.
Police communication officer, Captain Bernard Matimulane said the arrest was made as a result of an anonymous tip-off from a community member and quick response from the police.
Members of the Ivory Park police Crime Prevention Unit responded after they received a tip-off that someone was heard and seen firing a shot in the air at the Ivory Park Ext 2 taxi rank. The police rushed to the scene, only to find that the suspect had already left. They were then directed to his home where the suspect was arrested after the police had searched the premises and found the firearm.
The 40-year-old suspect was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition when he could not produce a licence for the firearm. He appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on 10 July.
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The Ivory Park Police Station Commander, Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo, was particularly pleased with this tip-off and the outcome. “Our communities are terrorised with illegal firearms which are used to rob and traumatise our people,” said Ngcobo. He said the person who tipped the police off, made a great contribution because it led to the withdrawal of an illegal firearm from circulation. The police could also check if the firearm was used in any other crime.
Details: Ivory Park Police Station 011 990 9618.
Is this tip-off evidence that the community is starting to trust the police and will encourage other people to also report crime? Tweet us @MidrandReporter
