Police in Gauteng continue to clamp down on unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng continues to recover unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation in a concerted effort to address serious and violent crime.

Gauteng police in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders have arrested over 140 suspects and recovered over 300 unlicensed firearms and 2800 rounds of ammunition over the past two weeks (11 to 24 October 2022) across the province. This is the result of routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches and community tip-offs.

A team comprising of members from SAPS Johannesburg Central and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) arrested a 24-year-old suspect on Friday, 21 October 2022 for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The team reportedly followed up on information on illegal miners (‘zama zamas’) operating in the policing area of SAPS Johannesburg Central. Upon their arrival at the identified address. The team recovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In another incident, SAPS Putfontein arrested six suspects on Thursday, 20 October 2022 following a business robbery incident in Mayfield. According to a preliminary report the members were alerted of a business robbery in progress and immediately responded to the complaint. The members identified the suspects’ vehicle and successfully intercepted it. A search led them to recover two unlicensed firearms and ammunition. One of the six suspects led the members to a residential address whereby another unlicensed firearm was recovered.

All the recovered firearms will be subjected to a ballistic test to establish whether it can be linked to other serious crime committed.

Community members are urged to report crime to their nearest police station, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.