Men with unlicensed firearm arrested in Masoyi
Three men were arrested after being spotted with a firearm at a mall in Masoyi.
Three men who were allegedly spotted with a gun while in a black Ford Focus at Dayizenza Mall in Masoyi, were arrested late on Saturday morning, September 2.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the men, aged between 24 and 38, were approached and cornered by some security guards who are members of Polsec (a partnership between police and security companies). He said the men were allegedly found in possession of a Norinco pistol and some ammunition. They were charged with the possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition.
“On further observations, it was discovered that the serial number of the firearm had been filed off. The seized firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was previously used in the commission of crime elsewhere,” said Mohlala. “Therefore, the police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues.”
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Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Masoyi, a man (20) was arrested in Bhekiswayo in connection with the attempted murder of his brother. Mohlala said that the siblings had been involved in an argument early on Friday afternoon, September 1, over a firearm that reportedly belongs to their father.
The man allegedly shot his brother (23) at point blank range. He was taken to hospital, where he is recovering. Mohlala said the man handed himself and the gun over to the Masoyi police a few hours later.
The suspects arrested for the unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as the man charged with the attempted murder of his brother are due to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court today, September 4. The outcome of these appearances were not yet known by the time of publishing.
