Two men were arrested after allegedly mishandling firearms at a funeral on December 12.

According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, Lucky Singwane (40) and Excellent Mabuza (35) were arrested during the ongoing Festive Season Operation. A multidisciplinary team conducted the operation at Naas in Tonga.

The operation was aimed at preventing and combating crime in certain identified areas during the festive season.

“The Tonga Crime Intelligence Unit received information that members of a certain group, suspected of terrorising members of the community in Naas and surrounding areas, would be discharging firearms during the burial of one of their friends. Using this crime intelligence information, police were strategically tasked to observe this illegal and unruly behaviour that could endanger the lives of innocent people during the funeral,” she said.

Mpho Nonyane-Mpe also said the operational team members swiftly moved in and observed the suspects discharging firearms during the burial at the cemetery. It was during this time that two individuals were identified from separate vehicles.

The two were tactically approached, cornered, and then arrested.

“Mabuza was arrested and was in possession of one shotgun. Though it was discovered that the firearm is licensed, the owner allegedly contravened the Firearms Control Act of South Africa. Singwane was found with a 9mm pistol as well as a magazine and 165 live rounds for a 9mm pistol,” Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said.

The two were charged accordingly and appeared in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court today, Monday, December 15, facing charges related to the unlawful discharge of a firearm in a public place.

They were granted bail of R1 000 each and will appear in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on January 29.