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Police in Gauteng recover over 60 firearms and over 700 rounds of ammunition within a week in an effort to address serious and violent crime

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng continues to address the proliferation of unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation across the province. Firearms are known to be the weapon of choice in the commission of a serious and violent crime, therefore Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended his members for their latest successes achieved.

Police in Gauteng in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and relevant partners have collectively recovered over 60 firearms and over 700 rounds of ammunition within a period of a week (16 – 23 January 2023). Over 30 suspects were subsequently arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

These recent successes are the result of SAPS Gauteng’s relentless efforts to address crime in the province through its multi-disciplinary Safer Festive Season Campaign 2022/23, Operation O Kae Molao, routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches, and community tip-offs. Community members also voluntarily surrender unwanted firearms.

On Saturday, 21 January 2023 members of Ekurhuleni Flying Squad recovered a firearm and ammunition which was left abandoned in a vehicle on the N12 Freeway near the Tom Jones off-ramp. The driver of the said abandoned vehicle reportedly fled on foot following a collision on the N12 Freeway. Further investigation revealed that the firearm is linked to a case being investigated by SAPS Reigerpark.

In an unrelated incident, on Monday, 16 January 2023 members of Ekurhuleni District in collaboration with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) arrested a 30-year-old suspect in Boksburg North following a pointing of a firearm incident. The team reportedly operationalised a community tip-off and proceeded to the identified address. Upon their arrival at the said address, the members conducted a search which led to the recovery of two imitation firearms and ammunition.

“I would like to thank my members and our partners for their concerted efforts to remove unlicensed firearms and ammunition still in circulation. The SAPS remains resolute in its efforts to ensure all citizens and visitors to the province are safe and feel safe,” said Lt Gen Mawela.

All the firearms will be subjected to a ballistic test to determine whether they can be linked to other serious crimes committed.

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

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