June Nhlabathi (42) appeared in Bethal Magistrate’s Court yesterday (July 14), on charges of illegal possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition with an additional charge of possession of stolen firearm.

The matter has been postponed to July 15, for a formal bail application. The suspect remains in custody.

According to Bethal police spokesperson, Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, members of the Secunda Flying Squad were alerted on July 11 to an incident where a motorist pointed a gun at the driver of a white VW Polo sedan.

The police pulled over Nhlabathi in his vehicle.

“The police asked the suspect a series of questions about the incident and requested the firearm licence. He failed to produce a firearm licence and was arrested,” said Mogadime.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm was stolen during a burglary in Bethal that happened in October 2024.