PORT ST JOHNS: The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has hailed the work of the SAPS members after they arrested three suspect for possession of unlicensed firearms and explosives on Friday, 11 March 2022 near Mpantu Bridge at Port St Johns.

Preliminary investigation suggests that SAPS members were conducting a roadblocks and patrols on R61 road between Lusikisiki and Port St Johns, when they stopped a white suspicious looking Toyota Corrolla. As they searched the vehicle, they found three (3) explosives and Two (2) firearms hidden inside the car in which they were driving.

Explosives and Forensics units were immediately called to process the crime scene and the explosives and firearms were confiscated as exhibits. They will be sent to the ballistics unit determine if they had not been used in the commission of other crimes elsewhere. The make and the origin of the explosives is yet to be established as part of the investigation and it is not clear at this stage where these explosives and firearms were destined to.

The arrested male suspects aged between 20 and 30 have since been detained in the police cells until their court appearance in Port St Johns Magistrate Court on Monday, March 2022 on charges relating to Possession of Explosives and unlicensed firearms.

“I thank my members for their vigilance and swift response. These dangerous weapons could have been used to take away lives. Let the suspects provide us with more information on their motives,” Lieutenant General Mene remarked.

Source: South African Police Service