A multi-disciplinary operation, dubbed Operation Combat, by the South African Police Service (SAPS) has led to the arrest of six people in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces yesterday and today.
Investigations by the team uncovered a racket involving the fraudulent issuing of firearm licences to applicants. This included the process from the initial application, the firearm training facility involved, to the Olifants police station in Gauteng where the applications are lodged and the SAPS Central Firearm Registry (CFR) in Pretoria where the applications are approved.
Those who were arrested include three (3) members of the SAPS who are based at the CFR and three (3) civilians; one being a well-known notorious and senior member of the 28′s gang in the Cape Flats.
During the operation, the Pretoria offices of the CFR were raided, in what was the conclusion of the first phase of Operation Combat, whereby upon arrests of the three officers, relevant documents and electronic equipment were seized.
In addition, different types of firearms and ammunition were seized following the arrest of the three civilians in Cape Town, including seven pistols and three rifles.
Among the charges faced by those arrested are illegal possession of firearms, fraud, corruption and racketeering as according to the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The suspects are expected to appear before court in Mitchell’s Plain tomorrow.
Operation Combat was established to respond to challenges of on-going gang violence in the Western Cape. This an intervention and prevention strategy developed by SAPS management comprising of police officials from specialised units including Public Order Policing, National Intervention Unit, Tactical Response Team and Detectives in order to effectively deal with the said violence.
Thus far the team was able to secure convictions of a well-known gangster from Bishop Lavis, Saliem John as well as the conviction sixteen (16) Fancy Boys gang members from Atlantis under the Prevention Organised Crime Act. The team also recovered several firearms and drugs valued at millions of rand under the auspices of Operation Combat.
National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega has commended the team for the arrests and continued commitment to the operation and said that more arrests should be expected as the operation progresses into its second phase.
General Phiyega also stated that she was concerned about the involvement of SAPS members in criminal activities but reiterated her commitment to continue fighting corruption in the police.
She further said that these arrests come on the back of an on-going investigation that has led to several members being charged internally and the dismissal of a Brigadier at the Central Firearms Registry.