| 2024/11/16 |
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Media Statement OR TAMBO DISTRICT – As the festive season is looming, police in OR Tambo District are intensifying operations through heightened police visibility in a bid to create safer communities this festive period and beyond. The operations made a positive impact with the recovery of unlicensed / prohibited firearms and stolen sheep around OR Tambo District. On Friday, 15 November 2024, at about 12:30, Joe Gqabi Tactical Response Team operationalized information about a 39-year-old male suspect residing at Phumla-Mqeshi locality, Mayaluleni A/A in Tsolo who was driving a Ford Ranger bakkie, believed to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The vehicle was spotted, stopped, and searched, and a firearm with ammunition was found under the driver’s seat. Upon circulating the details of the firearm, it was established that it was reported stolen in 1999 in Cape Town. The 39-year-old suspect was arrested and detained at Tsolo police station. He is set to appear in the Tsolo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 November 2024, facing charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing to establish any linkages to other crime incidents whilst the suspect also will also face a charge in the Cape Town stolen firearm case that was reported in 1999. In a separate incident in Port St Johns, members attached to the Tactical Response Team and Port St Johns Crime Prevention Unit operationalised information and proceeded to Masameni locality, Gomolo A/A on Friday, 15 November 2024. Information was received about a 34-year-old male being in possession of a prohibited homemade shotgun. The firearm was recovered in the suspect’s homestead where it was found hidden under a mattress at about 16:00. He was arrested and will appear in Port St Johns Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 November 2024, on charges of unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm. Tsolo police backed up by Qumbu police recovered 32 sheep on Friday, 15 November 2024, at about 23:00, which were stolen from the kraal in Qebeyi locality on the same day. All stolen 32 sheep to an estimated value of R50 000, 00 were recovered near Tsitsa river forest. Upon noticing the presence of police, the suspects managed to evade arrest. The sheep were handed over to the lawful owner. The OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, applauded the sterling crime combating efforts by police reiterating his stance that for communities to live peacefully, all illegal/unlicensed firearms be recovered and criminals be arrested to face the full might of the law. Ends
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