Ever since the reported spate of shooting incidents last week, which are strongly believed are linked to taxi violence, police management in the province had since increased the deployments of specialised units such as the National Intervention Unit, in the most affected Districts to conduct operations, which resulted in positive results.
Last week, a total of 39 unlicensed firearms were recovered, among those were AK assault rifles, R5s, shotguns and pistols. 17 people were nabbed for possession of unlicensed firearm, and with a total of 90 suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed ammunition.
Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli of SAPS said, “Police also opened criminal cases against 22 licenced firearm owners for contravening the Firearms Control Act. One of the suspects nabbed was a 41-year-old man (taxi owner) who is implicated in taxi violence related cases, extortion, murders, and robberies in the Amathole District and outside the Eastern Cape Province.”
The suspect was arrested in Idutywa on Thursday, January 18, traveling in a Mercedes Benz with the following items (in his possession):
1. AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines
2. Several live rounds of ammunition (R5 rifle) in a plastic bag
The suspect is due to appear in the Idutywa magistrate’s court on Monday, 22 January 2024 on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Additional charges may be added at the later stage of the investigation.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said, “Unfortunately, lawlessness will not be tolerated as innocent lives are at risk. We call on all the leaders of these taxi associations to work together and engage in constructive discussions and urgently find amicable solutions, so as to avoid any bloodshed. We are in the process of engaging PSIRA, as we see that private security companies are also involved in this taxi feud”, added Lt Gen Mene.
