Three men are being investigated for crimes including murder and rape after being found in possession of illegal firearms on Tuesday last week (August 19).
The men were arrested by the National Intervention Unit, who are currently deployed in the Ezakheni area as part of a multi-disciplinary operation aimed at addressing contact crimes in the area.
Following up on information regarding unlicensed firearms, the unit’s investigations led them to a house in E-Section.
There, three people (aged 23, 27 and 30) were found to be in possession of three 9mm pistols.
Two of the firearms had their serial numbers erased, while the third was licensed to one of the suspects. Several rounds of ammunition were also found.
At this stage, the three face charges of being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
They are set to appear in the Ezakheni Magistrate’s Court soon.
“We are investigating the possibility that these three men may be linked to the crimes of murder, attempted murder, robbery and rape in the Ezakheni area.
The recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic testing, and DNA has also been taken for analysis,” said the Provincial Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni.
