Boy, 12, nabbed with unlicensed firearm

A boy was arrested for being in possession of a 9mm pistol and live rounds at a primary school in KZN, police said.

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Uthungulu - During a crackdown on crime in the Uthungulu area, near Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Monday they held a 12-year-old learner for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Police said the two-day crackdown, which took place over the weekend, lead to the arrest of 16 suspects ranging in age from 12 to 37 years old.

“A 12-year-old learner who was apprehended for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm at Esikhaleni primary school outside Empangeni. He was found with a 9mm pistol with live rounds,” said spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane.

Zwane said upon further questioning, the young learner informed police his father owned the firearm.

“The father was traced and also arrested,” said Zwane.

The other suspects were arrested on different charges including murder, possession of housebreaking instruments, theft of a vehicle, possession of drugs, dealing in liquor, possession of property suspected to be stolen, attempted rape and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Zwane said all the arrested suspects were expected to appear in various courts in the area on Monday.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmaomonnye Ngobeni, who congratulated police for their work, said all recovered firearms would be tested for ballistics to see if they were used in any crimes.

Ngobeni urged people who own firearms to “make sure that their firearms are locked in a safe or they are in their possession at all times”.

ANA

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