11 Arrested and Six Unlicensed Firearms Seized in Eastern Cape Police Operations | Pondoland Times

EASTERN CAPE: Four separate operations conducted by South African Police Service (SAPS) members and crime prevention personnel over the weekend across the Eastern Cape resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects and the recovery of six unlicensed firearms in Gqeberha, Lusikisiki, Qumbu, and Tsolo.

Speaking for the OR Tambo region, police spokesperson Captain Matyolo Welile said the members conducted three separate operations in Lusikisiki, Qumbu, and Tsolo, arrested five suspects, and recovered four unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

“Members attached Lusikisiki Zone Task Team, K9 and Mtontsasa Vispol members conducted an operation over the weekend and arrested two male suspects aged 55 and 68 years at Dukada and Cele localities both in Lusikisiki for being in possession of unlicensed shotguns each with live ammunition,” said Capt. Welile.

“In a separate crime intelligence driven operation in Bajodini locality – Qumbu, members from Tactical Response Team, K9 and Vispol members led to the arrest of two suspects aged 37 and 42 years in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.”

He further revealed that an intelligence-led operation in Tsolo resulted in the arrest of at least one male suspect, aged 45, and the recovery of an unlicensed 9mm CZ-75 pistol.

All arrested suspects, aged 37 to 68, are facing charges of possession of undocumented firearms and ammunition.

Meanwhile, the Cookhouse Highway Patrol Unit arrested six suspects, aged 23 to 35, on N10 near the Cookhouse area in Gqeberha for possession of unlicensed firearms and illicit trade drugs.

According to Captain Marius McCarthy, the patrol unit, working in tandem with provincial traffic, responded to information about a vehicle transporting drugs from Gqeberha. They discovered two unlicensed firearms (9mm and Norinco) and 30 mandrax tablets.

“Police confiscated an undisclosed amount of cash, and the vehicle as it was used in the commission of a crime. Six suspects (four males and two females) were arrested and charged for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and dealing in drugs,” said Capt. McCarthy.

Both Sarah Baartman District Commissioner Major General Zolani Xawuka and OR TAMBO District Commissioner Major General Pumzile Cetyana applauded the members involved in the successful operations over the weekend in Gqeberha, Lusikisiki, Qumbu, and Tsolo.