Media statement issued by the office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga
Nelspruit – 18 March 2022: The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has acknowledged with great appreciation the work done by members thus far in the confiscation of illegal firearms as well as in the recovery of suspected stolen properties.
The acknowledgement follows the arrest of two suspects in two separate incidents last week, one being busted for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition at the Mahamba Border Post whilst the other, for possesion of a suspected stolen vehicle in Piet Retief.
According to the report, a 29-year-old man was arrested on 16 March 2022, around 14:45 by the SAPS in Piet Retief on allegations of being found with a suspected stolen vehicle. He was arrested during a stop and search operation that was conducted on the N2 next to the Woodhill Shopping Centre. The astute members stopped a white NP200 bakkie with Gauteng registration number plates. They then discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen at Kempton Park (Gauteng) in 2019.
The suspect, who has been identified has appeared before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 17 March 2022 where he was granted bail of R2 000-00.
Meanwhile, on Monday 14 March 2022 at about 11:00, a 25-year-old man was arrested for being in possession of an unlawful fire-arm, a 9mm pistol with five live rounds as well as a revolver with one bullet. His arrest comes after SAPS members at the Mahamba Border Post were conducting a stop and search operation on the road next to Sulphersprings. Investigation has since revealed that the man comes from Mtubatuba (in KZN) when he was intercepted.
He too appeared before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on 16 March 2022 and was remanded in custody for further investigation. He appeared again on 23 March 2022 for a formal bail application.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela said that police will continue to work tirelessly in fighting crime whilst ensuring that unlawful firearms are swiftly confiscated from the hands of criminals.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala
071 353 6955
