A 20-year-old man from Philippi threw his gun inside a wheelie bin as he was he was trying to trick police officers. Police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said officers were patrolling in Philippi when they saw a man walking on the streets.
When he saw police van he threw something inside a bin and ran away. Officers gave a chase and cornered the man and brought him back to the bin where he threw the object. When they checked they found a gun.
“Philippi police were busy with patrols on Thursday 06 April 2023 at around 09:20 near to Howick Court. They saw a male who in full view of the police members dropped an object into a dustbin and fled. The police members gave chase and apprehended the male person. They returned with the man to the dustbin and confiscated a 38 Special Revolver. They arrested the 20-year-old male on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” said Swartbooi.
He said the man will make a court appearance in the Athlone Magistrate court on the mentioned charges. Meanwhile, police arrested another armed man in Hanover Park on Wednesday 05 April. The officers who were patrolling saw a suspicious looking man walking on the street. They searched him and found a 9mm Glock pistol with ammunition.
“They arrested and detained the 37-year-old man on a charge of possesion of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” said Swartbooi.
