SECUNDA – Two R4 rifles were found in the possession of a foreign national on Saturday, 26 January.
According to Capt Bettina Zondo, Secunda Police spokesman, two police constables who were on their way to work, spotted two Basotho men along the eMbalenhle Graceland road near Esperanza at about 5.30am.
Const Henry Bapela and Const Japhta Kgaditsi saw the men carrying a big blue bag.
The policemen stopped in order to search them.
The suspects tried to run away when they saw the police, but the cops managed to apprehend one of them.
Consts Bapela and Kgaditsi searched the bag and found two R4 assault rifles with the serial numbers filed off, two magazines, 57 rounds of ammunition along with a blanket and tins of fish.
The police suspect these men are illegal miners (Zama-zamas).
The man, Mr Jufe Sepere (30), was arrested and charged with the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He appeared in Secunda Magistrate’s Court on Monday 28 January.
Mr Sepere was remanded in custody and will appear again in the same court on 4 February.
Police are currently looking for the other man who ran away.
They appeal to the community for information that can lead to his capture, as well as others involved in illegal mining.
Anyone with information may contact Capt Victor Dibakoane at 079 2680 040 or the Police Crime Stop number, 08600 10111.
