Police find firearm stashed under matress

Three suspects were arrested and appeared in court.

The Bekkersdal Police arrested three suspects for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm. File photo.

The Bekkersdal Police have arrested three men after finding a firearm stashed under a mattress.

Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, Bekkersdal Police spokesperson said the suspects were arrested on Saturday, 23 July.

Lefakane said Sergeant Lucky Baloyi and Constable Vongani Hlongwane were conducting their routine patrol when they received a complaint about a suspect pointing a firearm. They proceeded to the scene, where they found three men sitting in a shack.

“They officers requested permission to search them, but after nothing was found, they searched the shack. A firearm was found under the mattress and no-one could account for it,” Lefakane explained.

The officers arrested the three suspects. They were all charged with being in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The suspects appeared in the Westonaria Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 26 July.

Colonel Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Bekkersdal station commander, applauded the officers for their good work and encouraged all officers to search for illegal firearms as firearms are used in most serious crimes.

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