Three suspects found with illegal guns & ammunition in WC expected to appear in court

Three suspects found with illegal guns & ammunition in WC expected to appear in court! Three suspects who were caught in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition are expected to appear in court on Monday. The arrests took place in separate incidents in Nyanga and Worcester, as police continue their efforts to crack down on illegal gun possession and violent crime in the Western Cape.

Arrests in Nyanga

The first two suspects were apprehended in Nyanga on Thursday after police responded to a complaint in the area.

According to reports, officers were conducting routine patrols when they received information about two suspicious men in the area. Upon arriving at the scene, police noticed the duo behaving nervously, prompting them to conduct a search.

During the search, officers discovered a 9mm pistol along with live ammunition in their possession. Neither suspect could provide a valid firearm license, leading to their immediate arrest.

The confiscated firearm will undergo ballistics testing to determine whether it was used in any past criminal activities, such as robberies or gang-related shootings.

Anti-Gang Unit Operation in Worcester

In a separate operation, the anti-gang unit deployed in Worcester acted on a tip-off regarding a firearm being stored at a residence in the River View Flats.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that officers received credible intelligence and quickly put together a coordinated tactical response.

“They operationalised the information and tactically approached the residence in River View Flats. Upon entering the house, they searched the occupants and the premises, and in the process, they discovered a Taurus .38 Special Revolver hidden underneath a bath,” Swartbooi stated.

The suspect found at the residence was immediately taken into custody and will also appear in court on Monday.

Illegal Firearms and Crime in the Western Cape

The Western Cape has been plagued by gun violence, with many crimes being committed using unlicensed firearms. Police have intensified their operations, particularly in areas with high gang activity, to remove illegal weapons from the streets.

Authorities believe that many of these firearms are used in gang wars, armed robberies, and other violent crimes. The availability of illegal guns has contributed significantly to the high murder rate in the province.

Government and Police Response

Law enforcement agencies have been stepping up efforts to combat illegal firearm possession. In recent months, police have conducted more search-and-seizure operations, targeting known criminals and gang members.

Additionally, the Firearms Control Act mandates that anyone found in possession of an unlicensed firearm or ammunition faces serious legal consequences, including a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Ballistics Testing and Further Investigations

All the confiscated firearms will undergo forensic analysis to determine if they have been used in any previous crimes. Police will also investigate whether the suspects have links to any known criminal organizations.

Authorities have urged the public to continue providing tip-offs about illegal firearms and suspicious activities in their communities.

Upcoming Court Appearance

The three suspects are set to appear in court on Monday, where they will face charges related to illegal firearm possession. The court will determine whether they will be granted bail or remain in custody while investigations continue.

Conclusion

The arrest of these three suspects highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to tackle the proliferation of illegal firearms in the Western Cape. With violent crime on the rise, the removal of unlicensed guns from the streets is a critical step toward improving public safety.

Police have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on gun-related crime and are urging residents to report any suspicious activity to help make communities safer.

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