Four arrested with unlicensed firearms and other weapons
A home-made shotgun, firearms with serial numbers filed off and live ammunition were among the items found in possession of suspects during two separate operations on Tuesday.
TONGA – Four men appeared in the local Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after they were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition on two separate occasions on Tuesday.
Members of the SA National Defence Force came across Cinisile Maluleke (27) and Bongani Fundama (31) near the Mozambican border at Dludluma around 18:30. They found that the duo was carrying a homemade shotgun, ammunition, two knives and two screwdrivers.
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Around 21:00 in the Mzinti area, Tonga detectives, the Visible Policing Unit and Crime Intelligence recovered two firearms with serial numbers filed-off and live ammunition. They followed a tip-off about a vehicle with four occupants and searched it.
Phillip Silindile and Nsizwa Mbendane, both 30-years-old, were found in possession of the firearms and ammunition and arrested.
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During the preliminary investigation, police found that Silindile was wanted in connection with a case of attempted murder registered in May.
During his court appearance yesterday, he was denied bail. He will appear in court on Wednesday.
The other three suspects were granted bail of R1 000. Silindile’s next court date is October 18 and Maluleke and Fundama are scheduled to appear in court on December 3.
