IN a move that is likely to cause major clashes between the SA Police Service and security companies, the police yesterday seized 200 firearms from a security company and charged its owners with contravening the Firearms Control Act.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said members of the SAPS stopped a vehicle belonging to a security company at about 05.30 in the morning.
The vehicle was stopped on the M19 opposite Blair Atholl in Durban and was being used to transport firearms belonging to the company.
"Two security officials in the vehicle, aged 41 and 52, were not in possession of permits to transport the firearms on behalf of the company and were arrested for being in illegal possession," Naicker said.
He said further charges would be added in terms of the Firearms Control Act with regards to failing to transport firearms in the prescribed manner, failing to produce the necessary permits for the firearms, as well as not having the necessary permits to transport the firearms.
Fifty four firearms, 27 pistols and 27 revolvers were seized by the police as part of the investigation.
"In a follow-up operation a further 146 firearms belonging to the same security company (shotguns, revolvers and pistols) were seized for enquiry purposes," Naicker said.
Both the security officials are expected to appear in court soon.
Members of the local police, crime intelligence unit, crime combating unit and Private Security Regulatory Authority were involved in the operation.
"We want to remind all security companies that they should ensure that they at all times are in compliance with the Firearms Control Act," Naicker said.
"We are working very closely with the PSIRA and will not hesitate to act if we suspect that security companies are flouting the law."