KING WILLIAM’S TOWN: Efforts to deal with the proliferation of illegal firearms in the Eastern Cape have again resulted in the recovery and confiscation of 533 rounds of ammunition and twenty-five (25) firearms, inclusive of pistols, rifles and homemade firearms during the past week. Twenty-four (24) suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while two (2) more were arrested for pointing of a firearm. The recovered firearms have been sent for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes in the province and/or country.
On Sunday, 07 October 2018, Crime Intelligence members together with Elliot K9 members followed up on information of a suspect with a firearm. A 30-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm (38 special revolver with 12 live rounds and 3 cartridge). He is expected to appear in the Elliot District Court soon.
On Sunday, 07 October 2018 at about 08:00 PE K9 Unit and Flying Squad members received information of possible unlicensed firearms at a smallholding in Tembani Street in Greenbushes. Information was immediately activated and the house which is rented was searched. Four(4) hunting rifles were found hidden in the ceiling of the house and a 9mm pistol with 7 rounds was found concealed in the fireplace. Another 22 hunting rifles were found tucked in between clothing in a cupboard in one of the bedrooms. The members also seized a stolen motorbike which was found in the garage. The motorbike was stolen from the Humewood area in January 2003. A total of 400 rifle rounds were also seized. The two occupants of the house, aged 23 and 47 were arrested and detained on charges of illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a stolen motor bike. Additional charges may be added at a later stage. Suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Shebeens were also closed at Nqadu Village, Willowvale on Friday 05 October 2018. Police also confiscated liquor and 19 knives during stop-and-search operation around Willowvale CBD.
The suspects are amongst the 1 037 suspects arrested for various crimes across the province. Some have appeared in various courts across the province. Of this total, 90 suspects were arrested for drug-related charges while 535 mandrax tablets and over 200kg of dagga was confiscated.
On Friday, 05 October 2018 Storms River members seized over 200 kilograms of drugs valued nearly R460 000 and today a 63-year-old male suspect was arrested. A multidisciplinary team of law enforcers in possession of a search warrant raided a house in Puntjiesbos area, Storms River. Inside the house, police seized 200 kilograms of dagga and 1,7 kilograms of tik (crystal meth) with a street value totalling R458 250 and also seized R 3 404 cash. An elderly man was nabbed for dealing in drugs. A 63-year-old suspect is due to appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 08 August 2018 on charges of dealing in dagga and crystal meth (tik).
We will continue with our targeted and informed deployment of resources to ensure that proliferation of the firearms and drugs is ceased. We thank and encourage community members to share information about anyone who may have illegal firearms in their communities. We will also continue to raid the illegal shebeens and seize dangerous weapons which are also used in the commissioning of crime said Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga.
Source: South African Police Service