CONTROVERSIAL businessman and alleged serial carjacker Stuart James Scharnick is under renewed scrutiny from KZN law enforcement after escaping jail time through a plea deal with the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). His ability to legally possess five firearms despite a criminal record has further intensified concerns.

During a press briefing at the KZN SAPS headquarters in Durban on Thursday, Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Anthony Gopal, questioned how Scharnick, who has alleged links to suspended Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Shadrack Sibiya, avoided imprisonment for what police say were 29 cases of organised crime, including carjacking, theft and assault. The charges were ultimately reduced to one in court.

“One case of carjacking carries a sentence of 10 years imprisonment,” Gopal said. “Only the DPP can tell us how Mr Scharnick ended up having to pay a fine of R150 000 over a period of five years and his 29 cases, 18 involving serious vehicle-related crimes, was reduced to one by the courts. In that docket there is a lot of compelling evidence detailing serious organised crime that suggests a lot more than what the plea was made up to be.”

Gopal said the renewed scrutiny of Scharnick’s criminal history stems from his recent public statements and developments in the case opened against Head of Crime Intelligence Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. At the Madlanga Commission, Khumalo testified that Sibiya was seen driving a vehicle registered to Scharnick on several occasions.

Also Read: Watch: SAPS employee accused of altering criminal record of Durban businessman James Scharnick

When Sibiya later appeared before the Commission, Scharnick was in attendance and was reported to be part of his security detail. “He is not registered as a security officer and then you find yourself asking why he needs to own five firearms. How does a person with a criminal record and conviction acquire a firearm licence and for what purpose?” asked Gopal.

He further revealed that Scharnick’s firearm licence applications were rejected four times in KZN before eventually being approved in Gauteng, under a sporting category. In response to the concerns raised, KZN DPP Advocate Elaine Harrison said the matter had been noted. NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority will investigate.

“The SAPS and NPA have been in collaboration regarding the dockets, which will be provided to the DPP for an investigation to be conducted and to determine the issues raised regarding the plea(s) taken, the cases withdrawn and the matters not enrolled. As a result, no responses can be provided at this point on the issues raised at the briefing,” she said.

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