The Joburg Flying Squad, acting on a tip-off at about 2pm on 20 February, arrested five suspects aged between 38 and 40 in a shop at the corner of 8th Avenue and Bird Street for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
“The suspects were found inside a shop that [allegedly] sells and distributes miraa or khat around the area. Police searched four males and a female found there,” said Captain Xoli Mbele, spokesperson for the Joburg Central police.
“Police found ammunition on one of the male suspects, which prompted them to search for the firearm. Police managed to recover two firearms hidden inside the shop, with one bearing no visible serial number.”
Captain Mbele said preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm belonged to a 77-year-old man who died on 30 June 2010. “Police were able to determine that the late legal firearm owner resided in Witbank, and a police investigation is under way. The suspects will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 22 February.”
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