Police confiscates firearms, suspects arrested

MOOINOOI – In a bid to reduce serious and violent crimes, police in Tlhabane and Mooinooi, arrested suspects and confiscated firearms and ammunition during separate and unrelated operations.

In the first arrest on Thursday, 11 July 2024, Tlhabane Visible Policing and Designated Police Officer (DPO) working together with Rustenburg Crime Intelligence conducted a search at an identified address at Reutlwile Informal settlement. Although that did not yield positive results, the operation continued with searches at two other addresses at Reutlwile Zone 2 and 3 respectively. In Zone 2, a 32-year-old man was arrested after a silver 9mm pistol and four ammunition were found in his rented room.

In Zone 3, a search conducted led to the discovery of a 9mm pistol, two magazines and 36 ammunition, but the owner produced a license. As part of enforcing the Liquor Act, 1989, the police seized an assortment of liquor and imposed R1 500.00 fine to the owner of the firearm and the place, for illegal dealing in liquor.

In Mooinooi near Brits, a crime intelligence driven operation resulted in the arrest of a 43-year suspect on Friday, 12 July 2024, after the Brits Trio Task team operationalised intelligence. According to information, the team went to an identified address in Soshanguve section in Majakaneg village where they found the alleged suspect who informed the police that he sold the firearm. That prompted the members to proceed to a mine hostel where a 43-year-old man was arrested after being found in possession of a firearm and two ammunition without a license.

Both firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests. The suspects are expected to appear in the Bafokeng and Brits Magistrates’ Courts respectively on Monday, 15 July 2024, for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the teams for their hard work and patience, which culminated in the removal of the firearms from the wrong hands.