LUSIKISIKI – Intelligence-driven operations by Lusikisiki Public Order Policing led to the arrest of four male suspects aged between 27 and 49 years for unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

The first operation at Thaleni A/A in Lusikisiki on Wednesday, 18 March, led to the arrest of two male suspects, with a 49-year-old found in possession of two prohibited homemade shotguns with ten live shells.

In another homestead in the same locality, a 27-year-old was also nabbed for being in possession of four prohibited homemade shotguns. Also found in his possession were four live shells.

Both suspects appeared before the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 19 March, and their case was remanded to Monday, 23 March.

In a second operation in Port St Johns by the same unit on Friday, 20 March, at Ludasi Locality, a 31-year-old male suspect was arrested for possession of a DM4 Tactical Rifle (erased serial number) with five live rounds of ammunition.

A second suspect from Khwanyana locality, aged 32, was nabbed in possession of a Flywheel Revolver (erased serial number) with two live rounds.

These two suspects are scheduled to appear before Port St Johns Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 March, on charges of unlawful possession of unlicensed/prohibited firearms and ammunition.

SAPS said in a statement that none of the arrested individuals had a licence to possess such firearms and ammunition.

The OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, applauded all members who participated in the operations in their quest to remove all illegal firearms from the streets and villages of the district.