As South Africans focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, doing their best to adhere to the lockdown regulations, the criminal element is still operating within the shadows of society.
Recently, the Amajuba Cluster Task Team and members from the Crime Intelligence Unit conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Osizweni.
Through their work, the two units arrested a 35-year-old man for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
While police investigations into the matter continue, the suspect will soon be making an appearance at the Madadeni Magistrate Court.
In a separate incident, following a recent series of killings in Amangwe, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula tasked detectives from the Provincial Investigative Team to investigate the violence that has plagued the area.
“I am pleased with the results of the operations, which resulted in 10 arrests, as well as the recovery of nine illegal firearms. The firearms which were seized will be subjected to ballistic tests to determine if they were used in any of the murders and other crimes that were reported in that area,” he said.
This follows a painstaking investigation, which led to the identification of several culprits, during a multi-disciplinary operation comprising of various units in the SAPS.
In a statement issued by the SAPS, the team comprised of police officers and specialised units such as the Special Task Force, the Tactical Response Team and Public Order Police.
The team arrested 10 of the identified suspects in Nyezane, an area which falls under the Amangwe policing precinct.
The suspects were found in possession of firearms, as well as 108 rounds of ammunition. Police officers also seized a large quantity of dagga, which found in the possession of the arrested men.
The suspects will now appear in the Estcourt Magistrates Court.
According to Brigadier Jay Naicker, the men will face charges for being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. They will also be charged for being in possession of dagga.
Investigations into their crime spree in the Amangwe area continues. Detectives hope to charge them with additional crimes soon.
Well done to the arresting officers.
