OPERATION SHANELA LEADS TO THE RECOVERY OF A FIREARM WITH AMMUNITION, SUSPECT ARRESTED BY POLICE
Nelspruit: 26 October 2023 – Operation Shanela has yielded positive results whereby, Qalekwakhe Simon Motha (37) was arrested and a firearm was recovered from his possession on the N11 Hendrina Road in Middleburg on Tuesday, 24 October 2023 around 08h30 am. The firearm was stolen from a certain security firm in September 2019.
According to the report, Police in Middleburg were patrolling on the said road when they noticed a suspicious Toyota Etios with one occupant. There was no registration number plate at the back of the said vehicle.
A search was then conducted inside the car and it was during this period that a 9 mm pistol with live rounds (for a pistol), as well as one ammunition (for a shotgun), were discovered by the astute members.
The driver of the sedan is said to have failed to produce a firearm licence hence he was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicenced firearm with ammunition.
The firearm and ammunition were seized and will be used in the investigation. The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to ascertain if it was not used previously in the commission of other crimes elsewhere.
Motha is believed to be from Pongola in the KZN Province and he appeared at the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Wednesday 25 October 2023 and the case was postponed to 02 November 2023 for a formal bail application. Meanwhile, the suspect remained in custody.
The management of the SAPS in Mpumalanga appreciates the arrest of the suspect meanwhile the recovery of the firearm has been considered to be significant as it contributes positively to the fight against the proliferation of firearms which are often used in violent crimes such as kidnapping, hijacking, robberies and many more. The members are encouraged to be more vigilant as the period of the festive season is at hand.
