Two suspects have been arrested by the police anti-kidnapping task team, in connection with the trafficking of unlicensed firearms in the country in Meyersdal, Johannesburg.
Police believe that the suspects are part of a syndicate who hires unlicensed guns across the country to commit several criminal activities.
“On Monday evening, an intelligence driven operation involving various units including SAPS crime intelligence, the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit (PIU), JHB K9, JMPD and private security, led to the arrest of two suspects in Meyersdal, Johannesburg.
“The arrest of the 34 and 45-year- old suspects follows several days of surveillance and information gathering across provinces where suspects involved in the moving of unlicensed firearms were identified. As suspects collected the firearms, the team moved in for a coordinated tactical takedown in Meyersdal. The suspects were found with 30x9mm unlicensed firearms.
“Further investigation confirmed the weapons were destined for the Western Cape and the suspects intended to transport the unlicensed firearms themselves,” said national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
According to Mathe, both suspects have been linked to various other cases in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Furthermore, Mathe said both suspects are in custody and are facing multiple charges including illegal possession and trafficking of firearms, while investigations are ongoing to track down more members of this illegal firearm trafficking syndicate.
The arrests follow recent developments in the country, where several people were arrested in connection with the killing of prominent people, using illegal firearms that participated in multiple killings.
