Mohale FM THE South African Police Service (SAPS) this week recovered six AK47 rifles and four pistols from Basotho allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in South Africa
While it is not yet clear whether the 10 fire-arms are among those stolen from the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) armoury.
SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe yesterday said the weapons were recovered from Basotho suspects during three separate operations.
During the operations, four Basotho illegal miners were killed in shootouts with the South African police, seven others were arrested, while several suspects fled. SAPS said investigations and the pursuit of remaining suspects are ongoing.
According to the SAPS, their National Intervention Unit (NIU) carried out an intelligence-driven operation in Carletonville early on Sunday morning after receiving information that illegal miners were in possession of a large cache of unlicensed fi rearms and ammunition.
Meanwhile, the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) said it was unaware of the developments, despite investigating the theft of firearms from the LDF.
LMPS new spokesperson, Superintendent Thabo Mohai, said the police had neither sought SAPS assistance in tracing the stolen LDF firearms nor received information about the 10 weapons recovered or Basotho found in possession of them.
