Suspects appear in court for possesion of unlicensed firearms and ammunition

Two men were arrested at Calcutta and Lydenburg after they were found in possession of unlicensed firearms as well as ammunition and illicit items in separate incidents.

In the latest incident at Calcutta, a 53-year-old man, Simeon Elvis Mhlongo was arrested yesterday and appeared at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court today, for possession of an unlicensed hunting rifle. Mhlongo’s appearance came after the members of Tactical Response Team (TRT) acted on information regarding a man who was in possession of a firearm at Madras Trust near Hazyview. Upon arrival at the pointed house, the members conducted a search and a .22 rifle with ammunition were discovered and seized. Mhlongo was granted a R1 000 bail and ordered to appear at the same court next year on 10 January.

In the Lydenburg incident the suspect’s arrest, came after police received a report about a person who was found dead at Spitskop Farm on Sunday, 18 November 2018. When they arrived at the farm, they found the victim with an open wound on the head and the occupants told police that he had fallen while imbibing alcohol. A preliminary investigation led to the discovery of a .22 rifle, lots of ammunition of different calibres and a reloading press for pistol ammunition. As a result of this discovery, 39-year-old Alexander Franke was arrested. Further investigation led police comprising of K9 Units from Lydenburg and White River back to the suspect’s house. This time the team seized ammunition for rifles and pistols, new empty cartridges, Crystal Meth, a bottle with mercury as well as an unknown chemical which was sent to the forensic laboratory for testing.

Franke appeared at the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 20 November 2018, facing charges of unlawful possession of firearm, ammunition, drugs, unlawful manufacturing of ammunition, explosives and drugs. He was remanded in custody pending bail application on Tuesday, 26 November 2018.