Nine men who were arrested by the Low’s Creek police on Friday for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, briefly appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody pending their next court appearance on Thursday April 28. This will take place at Low’s Creek Periodical Court where they will appear for formal bail application.
“On Friday at about 16:15, the Low’s Creek officers spotted two suspicious Toyota Avanza vehicles with Gauteng registration plates. They were following each other driving at high speed from Mining Timber Plantation towards the Louiseville Road. The officers gave chase and managed to stop and search them,” said Const Khethiwe Themba.
He said the first Avanza had four occupants. “During the search, two firearms were found under the back seat. They were a black and silver nine-millimetre Fabrique Nationale d’Herstal pistol with a magazine and 14 rounds of ammunition, and a black nine-millimetre Vector with a magazine and 13 rounds of ammunition. None of the four occupants of the vehicle took ownership of the firearms and none could produce firearm licences upon request. “Both firearms’ serial numbers were filed off,” said Themba.
The other Avanza had five occupants. One firearm was found under the back seat. It was a black Pietro Barretta VT 7.65 millimetre with one magazine with one round of ammunition. These occupants also failed to produce a firearm licence when requested to do so. Once again the serial number was filed off,” added Themba.
The nine men have been identified as Raymond Six Nkosi (43), Erick Mashaba (27), Angel Mgantsi (31), Matsulu Nkosinathi Mncube (25), Mbovu Mzwakhe Ngubane (27), Julio Elias Mthambeni (46), Themba Mavuso (32), Msindiseni Ndlovu (29) and Lucas Thabo Mabidikama (42). All from Alexandra in Johannesburg.
