Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, the Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, has lauded the Soweto Flying Squad for their proactive response, which led to the interception of a suspicious vehicle. The operation resulted in the confiscation of three rifles and the apprehension of two suspects on the afternoon of August 26, 2023, within the Ennerdale precinct.
The Soweto Flying Squad was patrolling along the Golden Highway en route to the N1 Highway in Grasmere when they noticed a Volkswagen Polo Vivo with three occupants. Acting on their instincts, they executed a vehicle stop. However, the driver managed to evade capture by fleeing on foot into a nearby field. The remaining passengers were swiftly taken into custody. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded two R5 rifles and an AK-47 rifle, along with a significant quantity of ammunition.
Commending the squad for their swift and effective actions, Lt Gen Mawela emphasized their role in successfully apprehending the suspects. He reiterated the police force's unwavering commitment to curbing the rise of violent crimes by taking firm action against the illegal proliferation of firearms in Gauteng.
The two detained individuals are now facing charges related to the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. In pursuit of the suspect who managed to evade arrest, authorities have initiated a trace. The police urge anyone with relevant information on criminal activities to contact the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.
