Cops clamp on gun-toting crooks
2005-07-12 16:57
Zenzele Kuhlase and Zinkie Sithole
Nelspruit - Police launched Operation High-Density in one of Mpumalanga's worst crime-riddled townships on Tuesday to track down those who failed to hand in illegal firearms.
Members of the police crime prevention units, dog units, highway patrol and traffic department are conducting a joint operation in KaNyamazane outside Nelspruit, and surrounding areas.
"The operation was prompted by a string of gun-related crimes that took place after the amnesty deadline of June 30," said inspector Isaac Mnisi of KaNyamazane police.
The government had granted people with illegal guns six months, between January 1 and June 30, to hand in the weapons and receive amnesty, on condition they hadn't committed any crimes with those weapons.
However, since June 30, 127 people had been arrested in and around KaNyamazane for crimes involving unlicensed guns, said Mnisi.
Will now face prosecution
He said the operation would includes roadblocks, raids on shebeens, taverns, clubs, pubs and other public places. Random body searches also would be done.
Mnisi said: "Those who didn't take advantage of the amnesty offer, will now face prosecution when we catch them."
Also on Tuesday, Mpumalanga safety and security MEC Dina Pule warned that family and friends who failed to report people with illegal weapons also would be charged and prosecuted.
Mpumalanga police received 2 139 illegal firearms during the amnesty period, which makes up 2.26% of the national count of 75 386 illegal firearms that were handed in.
- African Eye