Ten men with their ages ranging between 20 and 28 were arrested by Mthatha K9 and Flying Squad at Ntlekiseni locality here in Mthatha today at about 14:00. The suspects were arrested after police received information about a Toyota Hilux with men in possession of firearms at New Payne.

After an intensive chase by members the vehicle was cornered at Ntlekiseni locality where a 9mm Vektor pistol with no rounds, a 9mm Star with 6 rounds and a white Toyota Hilux with CA 412 812 plates were confiscated.

All the suspects are linked to a business robbery where a foreign national shop owner was robbed by 5 men armed with pistols on Sunday where an undisclosed amount of money, airtime, tobacco and airtime machine were robbed and there is a possibility that they are linked to other crimes. All the suspects will appear before Mthatha Magistrates’ Court tomorrow the 08 August 2018 facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition and the firearms will be sent for ballistic testing.

“I applaud you for your quick response. We must stamp the authority of the state. Let’s make criminals feel our presence and protect the inhabitants of our country” said the Acting Cluster Commander Brigadier Nomawethu Makonza.

Source: South African Police Service