Operation Vala Konke close in on criminals

GQEBERHA – Police and communities in Nelson Mandela Bay remain committed to ensuring that the people in the metro are and feel safe. In the last three days from 25 January 2023 to 27 January 2023, four firearms were seized and suspects arrested.

On 25 January 2023 at 08:55, Anti- Gang Unit members conducted a search at a house in Harmony Street in Kleinskool. Upon their arrival they noticed an unknown male throwing something on the roof of a shack. A black and silver homemade shotgun and one shotgun round was retrieved from the roof. The 25-year-old suspect was arrested and detained for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Also, on Thursday, 26 January 2023 at about 18:50, NMB District Crime Combatting Unit members acted on information about a male in Mthetwa Street in Kwadwesi that is in possession of a firearm. The suspect was found standing next to the house and as he noticed the unmarked police vehicle, he started to run. He was apprehended and a 9mm pistol was recovered. The firearm was reported stolen in Middeldrift in October 2022.

On Thursday 26 January 2023, the Provincial Organised Crime investigation (Gang Investigation) held Vala Konke operations in the Gelvandale area in search of wanted suspects. Three suspects were arrested – one for dealing in drugs the other for illegal possession of a firearm and the third suspect for attempted murder. While the detective members were busy with searches in Springbok Street, they arrested a 20-year-old male who was found in possession of a pistol in his pocket. The firearm was reported stolen in Jeffreys Bay in January 2017. All three suspects are gang affiliates.

Committed community in blue safety patrollers, while patrolling their area during the early hours of this morning, 27 January 2023 at about 00:30 found a pistol and 4 rounds of ammunition abandoned in Lawrence Erasmus Street. They stopped a patrolling police vehicle and handed the firearm to them. An enquiry docket was opened for investigation.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata commended the sterling efforts of our police officers and also expressed his appreciation to the community for providing information to the police.’ As part of community mobilisation, I urge the community to be the eyes and ears for the police by providing information of criminal activities. By working together, we can win the war against the proliferation of firearms and drugs,’ added Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service

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