On 20 July 2022, an operation was carried out by police officers from Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit in the Shongweni area. The team received intelligence about a man who was in illegal possession of a firearm and they proceeded to the identified house.
Upon arrival at the house, police officers found a 41-year-old man and the house was searched. Police found a homemade firearm with 12 rounds of ammunition concealed in a wardrobe. The suspect was placed under arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He appeared before the Mpumalanga Magistrates Court on 21 July 2022 pending the next court date.
The team proceeded to Hillcrest where a report of illegal firearms was received. On 22 July 2022, the team executed a search warrant at the identified premises. A 30-year-old man was found in unlawful possession of two rifles with six rounds of ammunition.
The preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the firearms belonged to a deceased person who is not related to the suspect. The suspect is due to appear before the Pinetown Magistrates Court on Monday, 25 July 2022
