NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has expressed his appreciation over the arrest of three suspects and recovery of firearms in three different areas.

In the first incident, a 33-year-old man was arrested for business burglary and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition today at Chrissiesmeer.

According to our information, on 06 March 2022, a guest was sleeping in his room at a guesthouse in the early hours of the morning when a suspect broke into his room. He then stole a firearm, 9MM with 10 rounds of ammunition and also took his clothes.

His arrest came after the Police in Chrissiesmeer received information about a man who has dug a hole in his room. The Police then went to his place where a search was conducted leading to the recovery of a firearm, ammunition as well as the clothes of the victim. He was immediately arrested and charged accordingly.

He is expected to appear before the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 March 2022 facing the said charges. The suspect is further alleged to be out on parole for house breakings.

In the second incident, two suspects aged 29 and 30, are expected to appear in the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 March 2022, on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm. They were arrested yesterday, 24 March 2022 by police in Acornhoek in separate incidents.

Firstly Police received information that there’s a person in possession of a firearm who is robbing people around Hebron area. The members responded swiftly and conducted a lookout for the said person.

When police arrived at his place of residence, the suspect attempted to flee but police members swiftly apprehended him and proceeded to search his room. An unlicensed firearm with the serial number filed off was found. He was then arrested.

Secondly, Police also received information about a group of suspicious people staying in a rented room in Hebron. They proceeded to the said place, found a man lying on a mattress, searched the room and found a firearm with the serial number filed off, under the mattress he was sleeping on. They also requested his license which he failed to produce and he too was arrested.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has applauded the members for their efforts in ensuring that the suspects are speedily arrested, more so as illegal firearms threaten the lives of many as well as cause unnecessary loss of life. She further expressed her disappointment about the conduct of the parolee as she believes that once a person has serve his or her sentence, becomes a changed person with better morals.

Source: South African Police Service