PELLET guns are a big headache for police.
As part of the integrated Operation Shanela in Sharpeville, Vaal, General Nkhensani Lemba of the Sedibeng Cluster conducted an awareness campaign on Thursday, 1 February, informing residents about the dangers of buying pellet guns.
Lemba urged residents to refrain from buying pellet guns.
"People who own such guns sometimes forget that they are toy guns when they confront criminals with real guns and try to mess with a person who owns a real gun.
"Pellet guns are becoming a big problem for police at roadblocks as motorists are always armed with toy guns and some have turned them into real guns to use with live ammunition," she said.
Lemba told Daily Sun that she holds public meetings in all townships every week to also learn the problems of the communities.
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"The purpose of the community meetings is also to also get informants for the police to fight crime. The informants are paid and protected so that they are not targeted," she said.
Lemba said there are potential legal consequences for those found carrying pellet guns at roadblocks. Some people carry multiple pellet guns or attempt to use live ammunition.
"The use of pellet guns is also a major problem at gatherings, especially funerals, where they are fired like fireworks and threaten other people. We are working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the sale of pallet guns is stopped and that anyone in possession of this guns is arrested," she said.
The joint effort included members of the South African Police Service, the Department of Correctional Services, the Gauteng Traffic, the Community Policing Forum, the Department of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies.
Lemba commended the joint efforts to curb crime.
