Operation Basadi was carried out today, Thursday 22 August 2024 at Ehlanzeni District, under the command of the Acting District Commissioner of Ehlanzeni, Major General Dorah Xaba. The Operation enabled the team to make a huge breakthrough when they nabbed a 43-year-old male suspect in Acornhoek subsequent to him being found in possession of a handgun, with its serial numbers filed off.
According to a report, Policewomen were conducting a sting operation in Hazyview when they received information that there was someone at Acornhoek, being seen with a firearm.
The information was cascaded to members from Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the astute members immediately operationalised the information.
Further details outlined that members managed to recognize the man, who matched the description as details provided.
The man was then approached by the law enforcement agencies whereby a search followed suit. It was during this period whereby the firearm as well as 10 live ammunition were recovered.
The suspect failed to produce a firearm licence hence he was nabbed.
On further investigation, it was realised that the firearm’s serial numbers were filed off.
The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to ascertain if it was not previously used in the commission of other crimes hence Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 23 August 2024.
Meanwhile the operation continued in Hazyview, where 12 drivers were fined about R15 000 for Contravention of Road Traffic Act.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi commended members for the arrest of the suspect and also for the recovery of the firearm.
Operation Basadi enables female SAPS members to arrest a suspect with a firearm and ammunition https://t.co/DJSIyV1Nnv#ArriveAlive #FemaleOperation #Enforcement @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/lG9YM6CCTv
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) August 23, 2024