Muni workers caught with weapons

SIX Mogalakwena municipal officials were arrested on Monday for allegedly being in possession of unlicensed firearms.

The arrests were made shortly after the Mokopane police had to force their way into the municipal building after the gates were found to be locked.

Police officials accompanied the recently-appointed administrator, Digape Makobe, who reported to the municipal offices in order to fulfil the department of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs’ directive to review all systems and policies in place at the municipality.

The municipality was placed under administration under Section 139 (1) of the Constitution recently, and, although the Mogalakwena Residents’ Association interdicted the department to stop the administration procedure from going ahead, the North Gauteng high court ruled to overturn the interdict due to the fact that the association’s paper work was not finished on time. The administration went ahead

Provincial police spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, confirmed the arrests. He said the municipal officials claimed to be security officers and had been issued with the firearms to fulfil their duties.

“However, no documentation to this effect could be produced,” Mulaudzi said, adding that investigations continued.

The six appeared before the Mokopane magistrate’s court yesterday (Tuesday) and were granted R200 bail each. They were set to appear again later this month.