Key Points:
- The Tactical Response Team arrested two suspects with unlicensed AK47 rifles and ammunition.
- Police found both unlicensed AK47 rifles with erased serial numbers, making them untraceable.
- The suspects will face charges of unlawful firearm possession at Qumbu Magistrate Court.
Search and seizure operation leads to arrests
QUMBU – The Tactical Response Team arrested two men, aged 44 and 56, in Qumbu, OR Tambo District, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The arrest came after a successful search and seizure operation. Both suspects, from Ncemeni locality in Lower Tyirha, faced charges for possessing unlicensed AK47 rifles and ammunition.
Firearms and ammunition discovered
The operation began between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., following intelligence that police had received. Officers first stopped the 56-year-old suspect in his vehicle. They discovered an unlicensed AK47 rifle and thirty rounds of live ammunition during the search. Shortly after, police located the 44-year-old suspect at his home. They found another unlicensed AK47 rifle and thirty-one rounds of live ammunition. Both firearms had erased serial numbers, which made them untraceable.
Legal consequences for the suspects
Police arrested both men. They will face charges of unlawful possession of unlicensed AK47 rifles and unlawful possession of ammunition. The suspects will appear before the Qumbu Magistrate Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to answer the charges.
Police praised for their efforts
Following the operation, Major General Norman Modishana, OR Tambo District Commissioner, praised the police for their hard work in keeping the district safe. “We will continue working to remove unlicensed firearms from our communities,” Modishana said. “These weapons often fuel violent crimes and endanger innocent lives. Our officers remain dedicated to ensuring public safety,” he added. He commended the Tactical Response Team for their efforts in making the district safer.
