Laatie, 17, vas for illegal firearm possession in Ottery

A 17-YEAR-OLD laaitie will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. 

Die mannetjie was arrested in Frank Court, Ottery, at the weekend, as police continued their bid to get the guns off our streets. 

The arrest forms part of a series of successes taking place over the weekend in various communities.

During a search operation conducted by the Grassy Park Crime Prevention unit on Friday in Frank Court, Ottery, police members were following up on a tip-off, when they carried out the arrest of the teenage boy.

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk explained: “The members immediately proceeded to the location and found a male matching the description and proceeded to search him, finding a 9mm with six 9mm rounds in his possession. 

“The 17-year-old male was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition and was detained at Grassy Park SAPS.

“He will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 28.”

A day later, members of the Anti-Gang Unit were deployed to Hanover Park due to ongoing violence. They were responding to information received that a firearm was being hidden at a premises in Rywood Walk, Hanover Park. 

“Members proceeded to the address where a Black Pietro Beretta 7.65mm pistol with ten 7.65mm rounds of ammunition were confiscated,” Van Wyk said.

“The firearm and ammunition were found hidden under a mattress in the bedroom.

“A 36-year-old male was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.”

Van Wyk explained that the suspect was requested to produce his firearm licence but failed to do so.

He said in an unrelated matter, and during a tracing operation in Surwood Walk, Hanover Park, a 32-year-old male was arrested on a charge of attempted murder. 

“The suspects are due to appear respectively in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for their respective charges,” he said.