The Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the commitment of the Gauteng police as these weapons might have been used in robbing and killing innocent residents of Gauteng.
The concerted efforts of the Crime Prevention Team, geared at curbing the prevalence of serious and violent crimes in the Province, on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, led to the recovery of high-caliber firearms and ammunition in Benoni.
Weapons that include two R5 rifles, two shotguns, a revolver, and a pellet gun with more than 150 various assorted rounds of ammunition were found after the Crime Prevention Team spotted three suspected illegal miners carrying a bag. Upon approaching the suspects, the suspects fled on foot in different directions, one jumped into the water. Backup was immediately requested. The Trio Team joined the Crime Prevention Team and a suspect, who jumped into the water was arrested and found in possession of a revolver. Further investigation led the police to the N12 Squatter camp where rifles and ammunition were recovered. Two more suspects aged 27 and 28 were arrested.
The search for the suspects who managed to evade arrest is underway and the recovered firearms will be subjected to forensic examination and ballistic testing to determine if they were used in the commission of crimes.
This recovery brings to a total of 15 firearms and 200 various assorted rounds of ammunition that were seized by the police in Ekurhuleni within 24 hours.
The arrested suspects with be appearing in court soon.
Gauteng Police recover firearms and ammunition in Benoni https://t.co/TG94wQC6Ls#ArriveAlive #Ammunition #Firearms #GunsOffTheStreets @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/q7pF55vrqk
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 13, 2021
