NELSPRUIT – An AK47 rifle as well as some magazines and ammunition were recovered on Saturday, 06 August 2022 at a certain house in Hendrina next to the scene where a total of nine (09) alleged CIT robbers were arrested on Friday, 05 August 2022. The recovered items are suspected to have been deliberately hidden by the suspects during a gun battle with the police.

According to the information, an AK 47 rifle as well as three of its magazines and 69 ammunitions were found on the said day at about 08:00 am by a resident who noticed something strange on his laundry machine which was placed outside the house. It is said that his washing machine appeared to have been shifted from its original position. He then adjusted it and then made the discovery of the said items.

The police at Hendrina were then alerted and upon arrival together with other role players, the items were confiscated and will form part of the investigation which has been assigned to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) / Hawks in Mpumalanga. The items will also undergo some forensic tests as part of the ongoing probe wherein nine were arrested so far however police are still in pursuit of other suspects.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the recovery of the rifle and the General is adamant that more will be revealed regarding the firearm with possibility of adding more charges against the arrested suspects.

Source: South African Police Service