(Edited). The SAPS says last week 39 unlicensed firearms were recovered, among those were AK assault rifles, R5s, shotguns and pistols.
During police operations 17 people were nabbed for possession of unlicensed firearm, and with a total of 90 suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed ammunition. 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 taxi owner 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 18 January traveling in a Mercedes Benz with the following items (in his possession): an AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines and several live rounds of ammunition (R5 rifle) in a plastic bag was seized from the suspect
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, says: “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,” Lt Gen Mene adds.
St Francis Chronicle 