Six suspects, including a local shop owner, are due to appear in the Hankey Magistrate’s Court today, May 2, on charges related to the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, on May 31, at approximately 18:00, police conducted routine patrols on Bafana Xhashimwe Street in Hankey and observed three men outside a shop.
He said that two of the men were identified as suspects wanted for pointing a firearm and assault.
“Upon searching the group, police discovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in the possession of the third man. All three were immediately apprehended,” said Nkohli.
While transporting the suspects to the police station, he said that officers noticed suspicious behaviour from the shop owner and his two assistants.
Nkohli said that police returned to the premises, where preliminary investigations — including a review of shop security footage — revealed that the initial suspects had thrown two firearms into the shop upon police arrival.
He said that the footage further showed the owner and his assistants retrieving and concealing the weapons.
“Two additional unlicensed firearms were recovered from inside the shop, leading to the arrest of the owner and his two assistants,” said Nkohli.
Three firearms and ammunition were seized during the operation.
He said that the six suspects, aged between 19 and 41, face charges including pointing a firearm, assault, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of illegal ammunition.
Nkohli said that additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses and the seized firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine potential links to other serious crimes.
Acting Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Brigadier Asogran Naidoo, commended the officers for their vigilance.
“Their alertness in handling potentially armed suspects ensured the safety of the community and led to the recovery of illegal weapons,” said Naidoo.
