The Police Detectives at Masoyi arrested a 41-year-old man for attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition after the man allegedly discharged a firearm and shot as well as injured his son whilst he was reportedly cleaning it. After an investigation was conducted by the Police, the male suspect was arrested this morning, Friday 05 January 2024 around 07:00.
According to information, an absurd incident occurred last year (December 2023) whereby an 18-year-old boy was allegedly shot by his father during the time he was cleaning a Pistol.
A probe had to be instituted to find out as to how the young man got shot. It was during the tour of the investigation that the men and women in Blue digged deep then unearthed information about the firearm involved. They discovered that the man was not the lawful owner of the firearm but rather the weapon belonged to his late father in terms of the records.
The Investigators paid the man a visit this morning (05 January 2024). It was during this period when they discovered that he did not have a firearm licence for the 9 mm Pistol hence he was arrested and charged accordingly.
As a norm in the Police, the seized firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was not previously used in the commission of crime elsewhere. At this stage Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against him as the investigation continues.
The suspect is expected to appear at the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 08 January 2024 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has reiterated her concern about proliferation of firearms which are often involved in violent crimes, including Domestic Violence incidents. The General is further elated by the developments and thanked members of the SAPS Detectives at Masoyi for the excellent work done as they arrested the man and confiscated the firearm with ammunition.
