Two suspects appear in court for possession of unlicensed firearms; presumably stolen property and charged for a farm attack

Two males aged 25 and 28 appeared in the Botshabelo Magistrate Court on Monday 16 September 2024 for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Tshepo Jankie Makhubo and Thapelo Edward Mohloboli were arrested in separate locations by Botshabelo Crime Prevention Task Team and presumably stolen property was also recovered.

On Saturday 14 September 2024 the team received information about a male person suspected to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The members followed up the information and searched the suspect outside a liquor outlet in L-Section. The suspect was found in possession of a Black/Brown Taurus Revolver loaded with two live rounds of ammunition.

Further information was received and a house in T-Section was searched. The second suspect was found sleeping in the house and two rifles, 171 live 9mm caliber ammunition, and other 17 hollow-point rounds were found. A Hornaday 50 BMS armor piercer and collection of jewelry (Gold, Silver and Pearls) were confiscated. Twelve boxes of floor tiles and five tile adhesive bags were seized as presumably stolen property.

A case docket of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of presumably stolen property was opened at Botshabelo Police Station. The suspects were also charged with crimes related to a farm attack which occurred in Ladybrand in May 2024. A group of unknown males allegedly attacked an elderly couple, aged 65 and 66, on 1 May 2024. The unknown group stole firearms from the couple’s farmhouse and drove off in the complainant’s bakkie.

Tshepo Jankie Makhubo and Thapelo Edward Mohloboli will appear again in court on Monday, 23 September 2024.