On Thursday 14 January 2021, police arrested two suspects at a house in Sharpeville after discovering vehicles reported stolen in December 2020. A Mercedes Benz GLC SUV and a Mercedes Benz Sedan were confirmed to be vehicles sought by police in a case reported at Dawn Park SAPS. After searching the premises and the vehicles, police discovered ten firearms, seven magazines, over 180 ammunition of different firearms, explosives, signal jammer and housebreaking equipment. The two suspects were subsequently arrested on the crime scene.

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SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters commented, “Further investigations are underway to determine possible linkage of the suspects and the firearms to other violent crimes in the Province. Therefore the possibility of more charges emerging during the investigation cannot be ruled out.”

Commending the team comprising of members from Gauteng Specific Crimes Unit, Johannesburg District Crime Intelligence, Johannesburg K9, Community Active Police and Fidelity Specialised Services, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni welcomed this success that affirms the continued collaborative approach by Gauteng law enforcement agencies partnering with private security and community structures towards bringing down the volumes of serious and violent crime such as hijackings, house and business robberies.

“Those investigating this and all related cases must work hard to build a watertight case that will ensure a successful prosecution and conviction in court. What the team seized during this operation is indicative of the extremity of the violence these suspects may be involved in, terrorising our communities,” cites Major General Mthombeni.

The suspects made their first court appearance yesterday at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court.

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