SAPS
Two students were arrested after police found an automatic rifle in their possession.
Police said a 24-year old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested following a gathering in Braamfontein on Wednesday.
According to a statement, police have been on high alert monitoring protests by students of various tertiary institutions in Gauteng Province, particularly in Johannesburg.
“A Crime Intelligence report about a dangerous weapon was operationalised and led police to a gathering in Braamfontein where students were in attendance. It is at this gathering where members observed two students in Stiemens Street carrying an automatic rifle,” the statement said.
Police kept a close watch and saw the pair drive off in a vehicle before members of the Johannesburg Flying Squad and the Tactical Response Team in Auckland Park stopped the vehicle where they found a loaded automatic rifle of Israeli origin.
Gauteng Police Commissioner has ordered an urgent probe into how the weapon found its way into the hands of the students.
"This goes to prove the magnitude of the problem police are facing in terms of the proliferation of illegal firearms,” he said.
The two are due to appear in court soon.
