Secunda woman sentenced for giving gun to drug dealers
A pair of drug dealers implicated her in giving them a gun.
Anna Catherina Badenhorst (67) was found guilty and sentenced by the Secunda Magistrate’s Court on October 4 after the Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit arrested her in March.
Badenhorst was arrested when two people, arrested for dealing in drugs (nyaope) and for possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition, implicated her.
During the pair’s arrest, they were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. According to Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm did not belong to them.
The investigation team verified the ownership, which led them to the residence of the rightful owner of the firearm.
A warrant of arrest for Badenhorst was authorised and executed during an intelligence driven operation on March 15.
She was later released on bail. She appeared in court on several occasions.
She was found guilty on the following counts:
Count 1: Contravening sec. 120(10)(a) Act 60 of 2000 – providing a firearm to any person not entitled to possess it.
Count 2 : Contravening sec. 120(10)(a) Act 60 0f 2000 – providing ammunition to any person not entitled to it.
Badenhorst was sentenced to:
Count 1 : R12 000 fine or 12 months imprisonment suspended for 5 years.
Count 2 : R12000 fine or 12 months imprisonment suspended for 5 years. The firearm and ammunition forfeited to the state.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, said concerted efforts are made by the Hawks to eradicate the prevalence of illicit firearms which are in circulation.
He is urging the public to report incidents and provide information on illegal firearms. He further assured the public that information received will be treated with confidentiality.
