BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE (INTERN)
MBABANE – A late night police operation at Matsanjeni on May 30 resulted in the arrest of a 39 year old man after officers recovered an allegedly stolen firearm, bringing relief to residents concerned about public safety.
A 39 year old man from Matsanjeni has been arrested and charged for allegedly possessing a 9mm pistol without a valid permit or licence following an incident at a local bar where gunshots reportedly caused alarm among patrons.
According to information sourced from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), officers from Lavumisa Police Station responded to reports at about 11:00 p.m. on May 30 that a man was recklessly firing a firearm into the air at a crowded local bar.
By the time police arrived, the alleged gunman had fled the scene. Determined to prevent any further danger to the community, officers conducted interviews with witnesses and gathered information that led them to a vehicle belonging to the suspect’s brother.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a 9mm pistol, leading to the arrest of the vehicle owner for illegal possession of the firearm. The suspect was expected to appear in court today.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the recovered firearm had previously been reported stolen in the eSikhawini area of South Africa.
Police investigations further revealed that the suspect had allegedly come to the attention of Lavumisa police before. In an earlier incident, he reportedly brandished an unlicensed firearm but managed to evade arrest after allegedly hiding the weapon in a nearby forest, where it was never recovered. He was later arrested on separate traffic-related offences.
The successful recovery of the firearm highlights ongoing efforts by REPS to remove illegal weapons from communities and enhance public safety. Residents have welcomed the swift police response, noting that the crowded bar could have become the scene of a serious tragedy had officers not acted quickly.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service has encouraged members of the public to continue reporting criminal activities, emphasizing that community cooperation remains vital in combating crime and keeping neighbourhoods safe.
Information sourced from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS).
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(Courtesy Pic)
