Farmers work with police to confiscate illicit firearms

The police, alongside farmers apprehended two suspects with firearms near Smithfield on Wednesday evening, 23 March.

Smithfield District Farmers Union noticed a suspicious Toyota Fortuner on the N6 road near Aliwal North. The union immediately alerted the police and constantly provided them with the vehicle’s location.

According to police spokesperson, Sergeant Martin Xuma, the police acted swiftly upon receiving information and also activated other units to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

As a result, the police, along with farmers monitored and managed to pull off the vehicle near Smithfield police station.

“During the vehicle’s search, the police found an unlicensed AK47 assault rifle with 30 live rounds and a pistol with 14 rounds,” added Xuma.

• 

The vehicle’s occupants from Umtata, Eastern Cape, aged between 28-45 were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, the police confiscated the Toyota Fortuner valued at R700 000.

Duo suspects will soon appear before Smithfield Magistrates’ Court.

Confiscated firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if they were not used in any commission of crime.

Free State Police Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia, thanked the Smithfield District Farmers Union in working together with police in removing illegal firearms from the society.