An unlicensed 9mm Luger pistol with two live rounds of ammunition was recovered during a year-end function in Phoenix, after a man threatened to shoot his colleague during their Christmas party.
In an eventful few days, security and Metro Police were called to incidents involving violence at a staff party, a real life altercation between TikTokers and a woman involved in identity fraud.
Two people were arrested in connection with the three separate incidents.
In Phoenix, north of Durban, an unlicensed firearm was recovered during a year-end function on Monday December 11. The unlicensed 9mm Luger pistol with two live rounds of ammunition was recovered and a man was arrested following an altercation at a company’s year-end party, said spokesman for Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), Prem Balram.
“Members of Rusa were called out to the business premises by the suspect’s employer. On arrival, reaction officers were advised that a male produced the firearm and threatened to shoot a work colleague during the party. His employer seized the weapon and contacted Rusa for assistance,” said Mr Balram.
Mr Balram added that officers interviewed the suspect and established that he did not have a license for the firearm. During further questioning, the suspect stated that he located the weapon in a bush while walking to work. The serial number was still intact. The suspect and exhibits were handed over to the Phoenix SAPS for further investigation, said Mr Balram.
In Verulam, a 32-year-old TikTok influencer was attacked by two men at his home in Verulam on Tuesday December 12, said Mr Balram.
“Member of Rusa, the Verulam SAPS and several other private security companies were dispatched to an invasion in progress in Trenance Park at approximately 2.04pm On arrival, first responders met with a male and his frantic 59-year-old mother,” said Mr Balram.
“The male explained that two men arrived at their residence and demanded that he unlock the security gate. He was allegedly punched through an opening in the gate after he refused to comply. The men thereafter bent the gate in an attempt to gain entry into the home. The female victim called out for assistance from neighbours and the suspects fled in a vehicle (make, model and registration unknown).”
Mr Balram added that the man had confirmed that one of his attackers was a known TikTok influencer. They had allegedly become involved in a verbal altercation during a TikTok live session on Monday (December 11), said Mr Balram. The male suspect had also complained of constant bullying by certain influencers. A criminal case was registered and investigations into the matter are under way, said Mr Balram.
Also, on Tuesday, police became suspicious about the authenticity of the documents in the possession of a woman who had gone to Durban Metro Police Station in Pinetown to certify an identity document. When officers tried to question the woman, she tried to run away but the Metro officers gave chase and apprehended her.
The police noticed that the document was fake and upon questioning the lady, she attempted to run away. In a statement by the Metro Police Service, it stated that Metro officers gave chase and apprehended her.
According to a statement by the Metro Police Service: “While searching the female, officers found multiple identification cards of different people and on verification at the South African Police Service (SAPS), Pinetown, all the identity document cards don’t exist. The suspect was then arrested and detained at Pinetown SAPS. It is suspected that these documents are used to fraudulently get Easy Pay grants and Sassa grants.”