Durban — KwaZulu-Natal police recovered a gun taken during a cash-in-transit robbery in Durban while conducting an operation in an informal settlement.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said police officers from the eThekwini District Task Team, together with private security companies, conducted a joint operation at Nsimbini informal settlement in Cato Manor.
They were following up on a tip-off about men carrying firearms.
“Police went to one of the shacks where three males were found in possession of three firearms and 28 rounds of ammunition.
“During the investigation, it was established that one of the recovered firearms was taken during the cash-in-transit robbery in Durban Central in June,” Gwala said.
She said that three suspects, aged between 28 and 31, were arrested for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Five cellphones were also taken for further investigation.
“Investigation conducted by police revealed that one of the suspects was wanted for multiple murders committed in Cato Manor,” Gwala said.
She added that the suspects would appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
In another incident, also on Thursday, police officers from the eThekwini District Task Team, together with private security companies, received information about a vehicle that was used in the planning of robbery in Cato Manor.
Gwala said that the vehicle was spotted travelling along Vusi Mzimela and Jan Smuts Highway and it was intercepted at the intersection of Sparks and Brickfield roads.
“Seven men, aged between 21 and 32, were arrested after they were found in possession of a revolver and pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition, as well as an okapi knife. Police also seized eight cellphones from the suspects,” Gwala said.
She said that the suspects were charged for allegedly being in unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of a dangerous weapon. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation.
Gwala added that the men would be profiled to check if they had been involved in robberies committed in Cato Manor and surrounding areas.
The suspects are appearing before the Durban Magistrate’s Court today (Monday).
Daily News