SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT NABBED SIXTEEN SUSPECTS FOR POSSESSION OF UNLICENSED FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION DURING THE ONGOING OPERATIONS
POLOKWANE: Concerted efforts by the Multi Disciplinary forces in Sekhukhune District to remove firearms and other illegal items from wrong hands is gaining momentum on daily basis. This was evident when sixteen suspects from six Police Stations in the District were apprehended , firearms and other related illegal items ‘ were ‘confiscated covering a period of a week.
On Sunday 23-April 2023 six suspects including a woman were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and defeating the ends of justice at Jane Furse policing area.
Information at our disposal revealed that Police were tipped about five suspects who were intending to commit a business robbery at Riverside village.
The suspects were spotted and they tried to evade arrest by fleeing the scene upon seeing the police who were approaching and a car chase ensued until the they were cornered and one suspect was immediately nabbed. His four accomplices managed to evade an arrest and were assisted by a woman who attempted to hide them in her house.
A search for the suspects was conducted and they were eventually arrested from their hiding inside the house. The woman was also placed under arrest for Defeating the ends of justice by assisting the criminals to evade arrest.
The suspects were positively linked with numerous cases that includes conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, robbery with a firearm and malicious damage to property that were committed in Nebo and Jane Furse policing precincts last year around October 2022.
On Thursday 20 April 2023 a 17- year-old boy was nabbed by the members of the Tracking Team during an operation that was conducted at Nebo policing area. Police received information about the suspect who was in possession of unlicensed firearms in Phokwane village and immediately operationalized the information. The suspect was found at his residence and police searched the premises and discovered one unlicensed rifle and suspected stolen properties that included cutlery, pots, toaster, music system, electrical extension cord, house breaking implements such as two wrenches, chisel, hammer and a crowbar.
Another arrest was effected on Friday 14 April 2023 in Masemola policing precinct after two suspects were nabbed for possession of two unlicensed firearms, ammunitions and house breaking equipments. The suspects aged 24 and 28 were arrested at Apel Cross T-junction road while travelling in a minibus from Jane Furse on Thursday 20 April 2023 and was heading to Polokwane. The motor vehicle was stopped during the patrol duties and the firearms were found in their possession.
Other arrests were effected on Sunday 23 April 2023 at Marble Hall, Motetema and Dennilton policing areas and unlicensed firearms with ammunition were confiscated during the arrests.
A total number of 16 suspects were nabbed during the on going operations for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunitions.
The suspects have already started to appear before the respective Magistrate’s courts in Sekhukhune District facing several charges including, assault common, pointing of a firearm, defeating the ends of justice possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property, illegal possession of dagga , drugs and other related charges.
Police investigations are continuing.
