firearms recovered

Police arrested three Phoenix men and confiscated unlawful firearms as well as a legal firearm that one of the men had on him. Photograph: SAPS

Phoenix men now in court for firearm and lockdown violations

Police arrested three heavily armed Phoenix men, who were parked outside a tavern at 2am, and confiscated their firearms.

firearms recovered

Police arrested three Phoenix men and confiscated unlawful firearms as well as a legal firearm that one of the men had on him. Photograph: SAPS

Three men are expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrates Court today to face charges of unlawful possession of firearms and contravention of the Disaster Management Act.

KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, said the men were arrested in Phoenix while police officers were busy conducting precinct patrols at around 2am during curfew hours on Tuesday morning. She said the police officers had spotted a vehicle outside a local tavern and investigated further.

“Whilst the team were patrolling along Grove-End Drive, they noticed a vehicle with three male occupant’s stationary at the parking lot,” Gwala said.

“The vehicle was approached and a search was conducted. Upon searching the men, police found three firearms with ammunition.”

Gwala said a 27 year old suspect was also allegedly found to be in possession of a licensed firearm with 31 rounds of ammunition. 

“He was charged in terms of the Disaster Management Act, while his firearm was seized for further investigation,” Gwala said.

Gwala said the other two suspects aged 23 and 26 were allegedly found to be in possession of a revolver and a pistol with 23 rounds of ammunition. The two suspects were charged for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as for contravening the Disaster Management Act. “The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to ascertain if they were used in commission of serious offence in the country,” Gwala said.

She said the suspects were expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Phoenix, north of Durban, has been rocked by allegations of multiple murders during the recent unrest that swept across the city as residents attempted to protect their local community and businesses from wanton rioters and looters.