Two teenagers arrested in Macassar for possession of modified firearms

Two teenagers have been arrested in Macassar after police officers found two modified imitation firearms and several rounds of live ammunition during a joint operation on Monday, November 3.

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk said their members from Macassar received information about a learner in possession of a firearm at a high school and found the learner and  Metro Police at the principal’s office.

"While busy interviewing the pupil it was brought under the attention of the members that one of the pupils had a firearm on Thursday, October 30. A video reportedly circulated showing the learners playing with the firearm in class. A follow up was done and pupils were brought to the principal’s office, which led to a search of three premises in the Macassar area."

Captain Van Wyk added that following the search, officers arrested a 17-year-old girl, who is a school dropout, and her 16-year-old boyfriend, a learner found with the imitation firearm at the school.

Zandvliet High School, where the learner was found with an imitation firearm, referred questions to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) for comments.

WCED spokesperson, Millicent Merton, said: "I can confirm that police responded to a report about a learner with a toy gun in his possession. The gun was confiscated and the learner received a warning."

Police said both suspects were expected to be charged for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and were expected to appear at the Somerset West Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, November 5.

Metro Police spokesperson, superintendent Ruth Solomons, said a total of 31 live rounds of ammunition were seized during the operation.

“Initial indications are that both imitation firearms had been modified to discharge live rounds," she said.

The local councillor, Peter Helfrich, commended the officers for their successful joint operation and raised concerns about school children involved in wrongdoings.

"It is deeply concerning that the individuals involved in this incident are minors, underscoring the seriousness of such offences and the potential risks posed to our community," he said. 

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