Gauteng Police Clamp Down on Illegal Firearms as 17-year-old Held for Shooting at Cemetery

In a noteworthy crackdown on illegal firearms, the Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit has made significant arrests and recoveries that reinforced the province's commitment to combating crime. The escalation of these policing activities was highlighted by the arrest of a 17-year-old girl whose actions, captured and spread through social media, showed her discharging a firearm at a cemetery within the municipality area. The young suspect is now at Walter Sisulu Juvenile Centre while police intensify their search for the missing firearm and possible accomplices.

The arrest underlines the seriousness with which law enforcement in Gauteng is addressing gun-related offences. Throughout the province, the police's diligent efforts have led to the recovery of an alarming tally of 63 unlicensed firearms and over 1400 rounds of ammunition during the week of 15 to 21 July. These operations, spanning five districts, were comprised of coordinated stop-and-search initiatives and meticulously planned operations by specialized police units.

One particular intervention in Westbury culminated in the arrest of two suspects, with the police swiftly taking them into custody. Underlying the gravity of such operations, another attempt by police to clamp down on armed criminal activities in Rossetenville saw five additional suspects apprehended. In this tense confrontation involving an attempted hijacking, a stolen vehicle was retrieved, and two firearms were seized, although it cost an assailant his life.

This surge of police activity across Gauteng involved collaborations between diverse units such as the Tactical Response Team (TRT), K9 units, Counter Intelligence, and various security agencies. These efforts paid off when information led to an encounter with a group of suspects purportedly responsible for a series of armed robberies. A dramatic car chase through Oakdene ended with suspects exchanging gunfire with the police, demonstrating the perilous nature of law enforcement operations.

Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, conveyed his gratitude to all members and partnering crime-fighting entities. Emphasizing the ongoing commitment to public safety, Mthombeni reassures the citizens of Gauteng that these operations are part of a strategy to foster a secure environment for all. As a follow-up, all confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to establish if they can be linked to other severe crimes, potentially solving open cases and preventing future offenses.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gautent appeals to the public to assist in their crime-fighting efforts. Citizens are encouraged to report criminal activities to their local police stations, through the SAPS crime stop hotline at 08600 10111, or by leaving anonymous tips on the MySAPS App, signaling a concerted effort to leverage community engagement in law enforcement.