By Kopano Dibakwane
Seven suspects, aged between 33 and 48, were arrested in Masoyi on 18 May.
The suspects belong to a security company which was allegedly found in contravention of the Firearm Control and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) Acts, also for being found in possession of unlinced firearms with ammunition.
Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, colonel Donald Mdhluli, said that the arrest follows an intelligence-driven operation between anti-gang unit, national intervention unit(NIU) and officials from PSIRA, which was carried out on 18 May.
” It was during this operation when the team followed up on information about the alleged dodgy activities by the security company, thereby recovering three pistols and a shotgun. Serial numbers were filed off on one of the recovered pistols. Members further seized about 18 live ammunition,” said Mdhluli.
He furthermore said that four security guards are amongst those arrested and three others who allegedly operated as security guards without the prerequisites.
” All seven suspects have since appeared in the Masoyi periodical court on 19 May, where they were released on warning and they are expected to appear again on 20 June,” said Mdhluli.
