AS the festive season approaches, police in the OR Tambo District have intensified their operations to ensure a safer environment for the community.
These efforts have yielded significant results, with the recovery of unlicensed firearms and stolen sheep.
On Friday, November 15, at approximately 12:30, the Joe Gqabi Tactical Response Team acted on information received about a 39-year-old male suspect residing in Phumla-Mqeshi locality, Mayaluleni A/A in Tsolo.
According to a media statement, the suspect, who was driving a Ford Ranger bakkie, was believed to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The vehicle was spotted, stopped, and searched, leading to the discovery of a 9mm pistol with ammunition under the driver’s seat.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen in 1999 in Cape Town. The suspect was arrested and detained at Tsolo police station.
He faces charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was involved in any shooting incidents, and the suspect will also face charges in Cape Town for the stolen firearm.
In a separate incident in Port St Johns, a joint operation by the Tactical Response Team and members of the Port St John’s Crime Prevention unit led to the recovery of a prohibited homemade shotgun.
Acting on shared information, they visited Masameni locality, Gomolo A/A, on Friday, November 15, and found the firearm hidden under a mattress in the suspect’s homestead at around 16:00. The 34-year-old male suspect was arrested.
Additionally, Tsolo police, supported by Qumbu police, recovered 32 sheep on Friday, November 15, at approximately 23:00. The sheep had been stolen from a kraal in Qebeyi locality earlier that day.
The stolen sheep, valued at an estimated R50 000, were found near the Tsitsa River forest.
The suspects managed to flee upon seeing the police.
The recovered sheep were returned to their rightful owner, reinforcing community trust in the police.
OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, commended the excellent work by the police, reiterating his stance that for communities to live peacefully, all illegal and unlicensed firearms must be recovered, and criminals must be arrested to face the full might of the law.
