Cops arrest five, confiscate guns and ammo

Five suspects were arrested and a number of unlicensed firearms and ammunition recovered during a well-coordinated joint operation conducted by Police in Tubatse on Friday evening.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that the suspects, aged between 22 and 43, were expected to appear in the Praktiseer Magistrate Court on Monday facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of house breaking equipment.
He said that the arrests were secured by members of the Visible Policing Unit and Crime Prevention Unit during a stop and search routine. Police stopped a Toyota Corolla carrying with five occupants and searched the vehicle.
While conducting the search Police hit upon an AK 47 rifle, three pistols, 11 rounds of live ammunition, a bolt cutter, balaclava and hand gloves, according to Ngoepe.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen in Lydenburg last month.
Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba has hailed the efforts by members involved during the operation for cleaning the province from the mushrooming of illegal firearms.
The recovered firearms and ammunition will still be subjected for further investigations to determine the origin and the possible involvement in other crimes.

Story: RC Myburgh
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