Six suspects in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition were arrested yesterday at around 13:00 at a police roadblock on the R702 between Bloemfontein and Dewetsdorp.
The District Commissioner of Mangaung Metro Major-General Arthur Peter Adams commended vigilance and good work from members of the police who arrested six suspects in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
A multi-disciplinary roadblock was assembled on the R702 manned by members of Visible Policing, Public Order Police, K9 and Immigration Officers as part of the second phase of Operation Yehlisa #Operation Shanela.
Adams said the objective of the operation is to curb cross-border crimes and intercept movement of stolen and illicit goods as well as illegal immigration.
A charcoal grey Toyota Fortuner was spotted without registration number plates driving on the R702 when the police stopped the car.
They approached the driver, introduced themselves, and the purpose of the roadblock. The vehicle and the occupants were searched and a black Pietro Berreta 9mm pistol loaded with 12 live rounds of ammunition was found on the side of the driver. A silver KWC pistol with two rounds was found hidden inside a file. A brown Blow F92 with 10 rounds was found rolled in a blue jacket. The members searched further and found a fourth firearm, a black Taurus pistol with a filed off serial number loaded with 10 rounds.
Appart from the firearms and ammunition, the police found a red police crime scene manager jacket, silver handcuffs, pepper spray and a docket cover was found in the car. The docket had writing of a charge that had to do with precious minerals.
According to lt. kol Thabo Covane, spokesperson of the police in Mangaung, the items found indicate that the suspects planned or had already impersonated the police. The six males of which two were foreign nationals and four South African citizens aged between 27 and 53, were immediately arrested.
A case docket for possession of unlicensed firearms and impersonating the police was opened at the Bloemspruit Police Station. The suspects were detained in police custody and will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court soon.
