The Free State police in Bloemfontein have apprehended two foreign nationals in separate incidents this past Saturday. The arrests are in connection with the possession of suspected stolen goods and an unlicensed firearm with ammunition.
According to Free State police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli, the police received information regarding a foreign national robbing students with a firearm. “At approximately 16:00, acting on intelligence-led information, members of the Anti-Gang Unit conducted an operation in the Central Business District (CBD) of Bloemfontein. The information received indicated that a 35-year-old foreign national was allegedly involved in robbing students of their cellphones while armed with a firearm,” he said.
The suspect was traced to a shop in the CBD where he was found in possession of many phones and couldn’t prove ownership. He was arrested and is facing charges of possession of suspected stolen goods, an unlicensed firearm and the contravention of the Immigration Act.
Kareli said, upon further investigation another foreign national was found in possession of an illegal firearm. “Further investigation led members to the suspect’s residence on Crownwell Street in Navalsig. At around 16:45, a second foreign national, aged approximately 25, was found at the premises. A search of the room resulted in the discovery of a 9mm pistol with ammunition. The individual was arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” he mentioned.
Separate cases have been opened at the Navalsig Police Station, and investigations are currently ongoing to trace the origin of the stolen goods and the firearm, as well as to uncover any potential connections to other criminal activities, Kareli concluded.
Compiled by Clement Matroos
