Gunshot-like explosion leads to arrest of man with loaded firearm 

Early Sunday morning a man was apprehended in Georgetown by a police team following a loud explosion near Leopold and Cross Streets, Werk-en-Rust.

The incident, which occurred around 01:30hrs, prompted swift action from a Cadet Officer and officers from the Anti-Terrorism Unit on mobile patrol.

The team, who were travelling in three police vehicles, heard what sounded like a gunshot and immediately spotted a male , dressed in blue jeans and a coloured hoodie, fleeing the scene while brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. The officers chased the suspect, who ran into a fenced yard, where he was captured.

Upon searching him, police discovered a 9mm Beretta pistol tucked in his waistband, along with a magazine containing ten rounds of matching ammunition. The man, who could be clearly identified, was questioned but denied holding a valid firearm licence. He was arrested but remained tight-lipped, refusing to provide his name or details.

The suspect, along with the weapon, was taken to Ruimveldt Police Station, where forensic officers dusted the firearm for fingerprints. Further investigations continued at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, where his hands were swabbed for gunpowder residue. The man remains in custody as authorities work to uncover the full details of the incident.