Police search heavily-armed security guards near taxi rank
The police operation was carried out in full view of the public
Update: According to Qomkufa Security managing director Mr Ngcobo, his guards were not in the rank, as stated in the original story. They were, in fact, outside the rank at a garage and were adhering to the rules of the Minister of Transport. The original story below has been updated.
Police entered the Ladysmith taxi rank opposite the Plaza complex today (January 13) to carry out an operation to verify the weapons carried by security guards.
Also read: 4.6-metre Southern African Python found near Ladysmith after eating a goat
Heavily-armed taxi security guards with self-loading rifles (SLRs*) had allegedly been seen walking around inside the taxi rank. This was denied emphatically by Mr Ngcobo.
According to a police source, no armed security are allowed to be inside the rank.
Police checked to see if the security guards’ firearms were licensed. When all checks were done, the guards were allowed to remain outside the rank.
The police operation was carried out in full view of the public and included them searching the taxi rank.
* SLRs, better known as self-loading rifles, are not automatic weapons and can only fire as fast as the operator can squeeze the trigger. An automatic rifle can fire 600 rounds a minute or more and when the operator holds down the trigger, the gun fires continuously and only stops when the trigger is released.
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