A suspect arrested in Marite on July 22 on charges of illegal possession of an automatic assault rifle, a pistol and ammunition, has abandoned his bail application.

Sibusiso Morake (42) briefly appeared in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, July 30, where he was expected to apply for bail. He abandoned his application for undisclosed reasons and was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on August 27.

Defence counsel declines to give reason

Morake’s attorney Bheki Shilubane confirmed that he has received instructions from his client, but declined to give reasons for him abandoning bail.

After his arrest at a residential property, Morake spent two nights in Calcutta Police Station’s holding cells before his first court appearance on July 24.

Police seize weapons with erased serial numbers

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, information was received about an individual believed to be in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. He said the information was operationalised, and authorities carried out a search of the address provided.

“The suspect was found in possession of a rifle and a pistol believed to have been used in the commission of serious and violent crimes in the area. He was also found with rounds of live ammunition,” said Masondo, adding that the serial numbers had been filed off the weapons.

He said the firearms will be sent for ballistic testing and further investigation will determine whether Morake is linked to any other crimes.

Extra units deployed to high-crime precinct

The Calcutta policing precinct, under which Marite falls, has reported 38 gun murders since the beginning of the year.

Morake’s arrest follows the recent deployment of additional officers from Crime Intelligence, Crime Detection, Tactical Response, the K9 Unit, and Public Order Policing, among others, to the area amid the surge in gun-related deaths.