PARKTOWN: An intelligence-driven operation by the SAPS Trio Task Team from Ekurhuleni East, this morning led to the arrest of four suspects in Kwa-Thema and Tsakane – three males aged 24, 35 and 37, and a 29-year-old female. The suspects were found in possession of a shot gun and an R-5 rifle with ammunition.

Almost two weeks ago on 14 February 2019, police foiled a possible robbery at a chainstore in Tsakane, and recovered two firearms (pistols) later reported to have been robbed from two police officers the previous day. It is reported that a R-5 rifle had also been taken during that robbery.

A week post his redeployment to Gauteng as Provincial Commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela on 15 February 2019 called for a priority investigation towards the recovery of the remaining R-5 rifle.

Information led police to Kwa-Thema where the first suspect was arrested and a shot gun recovered, which has been confirmed as also having been taken during a business robbery on 09 February 2019 in Kwa-Thema. Further investigation led police to Tsakane where police arrested two male suspects and one female suspect. Police recovered an unloaded R-5 that has since been confirmed as the one being sought, and ammunition.

Further investigations will be conducted by police to determine whether the arrested suspects are linked to the robberies of the 9th and 13th of February 2019; and for possible linkage to other serious and violent crimes in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas.

Police will not rest until serious and violent crimes become a thing of the past. This starts with removing illegal firearms from the wrong hands, thus sparing the lives of innocent law abiding residents and visitors of the Province.

Source: South African Police Service