A 14-year-old boy with a gun and ammunition was among 20 people arrested on various charges, including murder, in Hanover Park in the past week, say police.
Officers arrested the boy at an Augulus Court flat, in the early hours on Friday August 11, for the illegal possession of a gun and ammunition, said Philippi police spokesman Captain Lance Goliath. The 357 Taurus revolver’s serial number had been removed.
This followed the arrests, days apart, of two men on the same charges: a 35-year-old man at Oribi Court, on Thursday August 10, with a 9mm Star pistol and ammunition seized, and a 46-year-old man at Surburg Walk, on Tuesday August 8, with a .38 Special revolver and ammunition seized.
Three men, aged 39, 30 and 22, were arrested on murder charges. The 22-year-old was arrested for a killing earlier this month and the other two for a murder in July.
Another two men, aged 39 and 16, were arrested, respectively, for attempted murders committed earlier this month.
Twelve men were arrested for public violence following complaints from the community.
“Following a spate of sporadic shooting incidents Philippi SAPS is tightening the screws on identified criminals and their criminal activities,” Captain Goliath said.
Contact Philippi SAPS at 021 690 1504 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111 to report crime.