Alleged Limpopo firearm training facility raises ‘serious concerns’, says police minister | News24

A suspected firearm training facility was uncovered in Modimolle, Limpopo. (Supplied/Hawks)

• An alleged firearm training camp in Modimolle, Limpopo, raises “serious concerns”, says Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
• A cache of firearms and ammunition was discovered during a raid last week.
• Mchunu commended the Hawks and other police units for the operation that made the discovery.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the discovery of a facility possibly carrying out military-related firearm training on a farm in Modimolle, Limpopo, raises “serious concerns”.

Mchunu said: “While the exact purpose of the training at this facility remains under investigation, the discovery of military-related training equipment and activities raises serious concerns that cannot be ignored.”

News24 previously reported that a cache of firearms and ammunition was also found at the premises.

The facility was discovered two weeks after police uncovered a suspected military training base in White River, Mpumalanga.

This week, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority found that the military-style camp where 95 Libyan nationals were receiving training was operating illegally.

Mchunu commended the “dedicated efforts” of the Hawks and other police units for Thursday’s raid.

“This operation, prompted by a tip-off received by the Hawks, led to the seizure of several licenced rifles, a pistol, and a substantial amount of ammunition believed to have been used in the training activities at the facility,” he said.

READ | Hawks uncover suspected firearm training camp in Limpopo, ‘military-related training’ not ruled out

He added that “the safety and security of South African citizens are of the utmost importance”, and said investigations into the matter would continue.

“The swift and coordinated response by these specialised units showcases the commitment and diligence of our law enforcement agencies in protecting our communities from potential threats. While no arrests have been made at this time, the authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.”