GAUTENG – Four suspects, including a serving police sergeant, have been arrested following an armed confrontation with police and security personnel at a tavern in Nkandla Hostels, Extension 36, on Saturday night.

The incident took place at about 22:30 on Saturday, 5 September in Extension 36, Olievenhoutbosch, a township situated within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng. A community member alerted police and security personnel to a group of men allegedly in possession of unlicensed firearms at a tavern in the area.

When police and security personnel approached the premises, the occupants allegedly opened fire on them.

The members took cover and surrounded the tavern before issuing repeated verbal commands for the suspects to surrender.

According to police, the suspects allegedly refused to comply, prompting members to use the necessary minimum force to bring the situation under control.

Four suspects were subsequently arrested.

A search of the premises led to the recovery of four spent cartridges and a firearm concealed behind a deep freezer. Police said the firearm’s serial numbers had been filed off.

A black zip-up bag containing suspected heroin was also recovered.

One of the arrested suspects was identified as a serving police sergeant stationed at SAPS Randburg.

Police said the recovered firearm is believed to be a police firearm that was stolen during a robbery in Olievenhoutbosch earlier this year.

However, this information will form part of the ongoing investigation and will be subjected to forensic verification.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon and face charges including attempted murder, discharging a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unlicensed ammunition and possession of drugs.

Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, commended the community member who provided the information, as well as the police and security personnel who responded to the alleged threat.

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