GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The determined efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms have once again paid off, following a successful interprovincial operation that led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of two unlicensed firearms with a substantial amount of ammunition.

On Saturday evening, 29 November, SAPS Crime Intelligence from the Western Cape shared pertinent information with their Eastern Cape counterparts regarding a white VW Polo with four male occupants allegedly in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. 

The vehicle, believed to have departed from Vredenburg en route to the Eastern Cape, was traced and intercepted in Graaff-Reinet.

At approximately 20:35, members of the Sarah Baartman District Task Team spotted a vehicle matching the description and stopped it in Parsonage Street. A thorough search of the vehicle followed.

Inside the glove compartment, police discovered a plastic container containing 17 live rounds of ammunition. 

Further inspection uncovered two unlicensed 9mm pistols hidden inside the pockets of a navy jacket that was hanging on the driver’s headrest. Along with the ammunition already in the firearm magazines, an additional plastic bag containing 47 rounds of ammunition was also found inside the jacket.

The four male occupants were immediately arrested and charged with two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. 

The VW Polo was confiscated for further investigation.

Detectives are currently profiling the suspects and probing their possible links to at least one serious crime in the Western Cape. 

The men, aged between 32 and 35, are expected to appear in the Graaff-Reinet Magistrate’s Court soon.

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