Exceptional efforts displayed by dedicated police officers within the Nelson Mandela Bay district during weekend clampdown operations in the hotspot areas, resulted in significant successes.

Three firearms were confiscated in Ext 32 in Bethelsdorp, De Doncker Street in Arcadia and Esterhuizen Street in Arcadia. A revolver was recovered from a suspect on Saturday, 07 October 2023, after police searched him in Barberry Drive in Ext 32. He was detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The second firearm was recovered in De Doncker Street when a male was seen running into a shop where the firearm was disposed of into a laundry basket. He was detained on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. Also on Saturday, during a joint operation between Anti-Gang Unit, Public Order Police, Gqeberha K9 Unit and the Operational Command Centre (OCC), at approximately 21:45, while patrolling in Esterhuizen Street, the members stopped and searched a man
where they seized a pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition. The suspect was arrested and detained on charges of unlawful possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

In another unrelated incident on Saturday, at approximately 11:10, Gqeberha K9 Unit and Flying Squad recovered a stolen vehicle at the corners of Daku and Struanway Streets. The members found the vehicle with a driver inside. Upon searching the vehicle, the original number plates were found in the boot. The vehicle was reported stolen at SAPS Humewood. A 54-year-old suspect was detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle.

On Friday 06 October 2023, at approximately 16:40, SAPS Mount Road members arrested a suspect in possession of suspected stolen property after members have established that the items in his possession was stolen out of a vehicle in Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End. The suspect was seen walking away from a vehicle after the alarm was activated. A Dell laptop, a tablet and other belongings were r
ecovered and positively identified by the complainant.

Also on Friday, during a crime prevention blitz in Gelvandale, drugs were confiscated at a house in Terblanche Street. One suspect was arrested and drugs with an estimated value of R170 227 was seized. The drugs confiscated included dagga, pain tablets, mandrax and tik. The suspect was detained on charges of dealing in drugs. Tik (25 packets) was also confiscated at a house in Mase Street in Kwazakele on Friday. One person was arrested for dealing in drugs.

All the arrested suspects will be appearing in their respective courts on Monday 09 October 2023. The confiscated firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata commended the efforts of the multidisciplinary teams. ‘The successful outcome of this weekend’s successes was achieved through the outstanding collaboration of the various units and stations within the metro. Teamwork and strategy were at the forefront of our prevention stra
tegy,’ added Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service