A 19-year-old man was arrested during the early hours of Wednesday morning after a stolen firearm was found stashed in his pants.
The man, who police will name only after he appears in court, was arrested shortly after midnight during a standard stop and search exercise in Zwide.
Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said a team from the Motherwell Cluster Operational Command Centre were patrolling the area when they spotted a group of men standing in Hlawula Street, Zwide.
“The police stopped and searched them when they found a firearm hidden in one suspects pants.“The 7.65mm pistol was stolen during a burglary in July 2018 in Kwazakhele.”
Beetge said the firearm had been sent to the ballistic unit for testing to determine if it was linked to other crimes.
“Part of the probe will be to determine if the suspect was also involved with the actual burglary and how he came into possession of the firearm,” he said.Additional charges could follow.
The man is due to appear in the New Brighton Magistrates Court on Thursday.