Intelligence driven operation by Mthatha based District Task Team led to the arrest of three male suspects aged 27, 30 and 33 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition on Friday, 7 March 2025 and Sunday, 9 March 2025 in two different localities, Sthaleni and KwaDebeza, both in Qumbu.
On Friday, 7 March 2025, at around 22:00, a 30-year-old male suspect was discovered in KwaDebeza with a 9mm pistol (with a wiped serial number) and ammunition. On Sunday, 9 March 2025, at around 22:00, a 27-year-old male suspect was discovered in possession of a 9mm pistol magazine containing four live rounds in the Sulenkama locality, which is under Qumbu.
On Sunday, 9 March 2025, at approximately 23:00, a 33-year-old male suspect was also discovered in Sthaleni Locality in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with a wiped serial number and live ammunition.
On Monday, 10 March 2025, the three suspects who were detained will appear in Qumbu Magistrate’s Court on charges of unlawfully possessing ammunition and an unlicensed firearm.
OR Tambo Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Vukile Ntuli lauded all members involved in the operation for the arrests and recoveries thus preventing heinous crimes that would have been committed using those unlicensed firearms and ammunition.