There's a high number of unlicenced firearms in Soshanguve, says Mchunu
Addressing residents at a community hall in Soshanguve, Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that one suspect has been arrested and two are being questioned.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu (far right) is accompanied by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to address the Soshanguve residents after the murder of at least six community patrollers. Picture: Supplied/@SAPS/@Senzo_Mchunu_ on X
JOHANNESBURG - Police have revealed that the availability of illegal firearms was rife in Soshanguve.
Addressing residents at a community hall in Soshanguve, Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that one suspect had been arrested and two were being questioned.
He was providing an update on the attack on the patrollers from the Marry Me informal settlement.
The Hawks have confirmed that two suspects had now been arrested for the attacks.
The two suspects were arrested in Soshanguve on Monday and were found in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Mchunu said that although the murder statistics of the country showed a decrease in the first and second quarters, it did not mean that murders had stopped.
He added that officials based at the Soshanguve Police Station told him there was a high number of unlicenced firearms in the area.
"The availability of firearms, including illegal firearms, there are too many illegal firearms in the country that are unaccounted for. They agreed that they are observing that as well. Even legal firearms are easily available because the systems through which people get firearms are not as tight as should be."
He added that more suspects were expected to be arrested soon.