RNM superintendent arrested on firearm charge
It is believed the official was arrested at a restaurant in Shelly Beach on Friday last week by the police task team investigating political killings in the province.
A Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Law Enforcement superintendent and senior ANC member has been arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
It is believed the official was arrested at a restaurant in Shelly Beach on Friday last week by the police task team investigating political killings in the province.
On Monday, ANC councillors and officials filled the Ramsgate Magistrate’s Court in a show of support for the official.
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Bail was denied and he will remain in police custody until his next court appearance on December 3.
ANC insiders who did not want to be named citing safety concerns, said the official was the victim of a ‘political agenda’ instigated by certain politicians with whom he did not see eye to eye.
“The firearm belonged to his late brother. There is no need to crucify him because he might have just forgotten to do the necessary paperwork due to the grief of losing a loved one,” said one.
However, opinions differed, with another venturing that as the man was a senior Law Enforcement official, he should be well aware of the regulations governing firearms.
“He is supposed to uphold the law – if he breaks it then how is he supposed to protect the community?” he asked.
“We can confirm that while we are aware of the arrest, we are not aware of the reasons behind it and we wouldn’t like to comment on assumptions,” said Ray Nkonyeni Municipality spokesman, Simon April.
Mr April denied that there was a link between the arrest and the recent seizure of a number of firearms from the traffic department armoury in Port Shepstone by the SAPS National Intervention Unit (NIU), reportedly to determine if they had been used in the commission of crime, with a particular focus on political killings.
Police Minister Bheki Cele told the Herald that he could not comment on the arrest and directed all queries to police spokesman, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo.
When contacted by the Herald, Brig Naidoo responded saying, “The information we release on such arrests remains restricted, to protect the investigation and to limit the number of deaths during investigation processes until they are complete.”
Mkhonto Wesizwe Veterans’ Association member Selvan Chetty said the official is known to be “highly disciplined” and has made “an enormous contribution to the democracy”.
“I’m very confident that he will be cleared through the court processes but we will allow the police to do their investigations.”
Efforts to get hold of ANC spokesman Lindo Mzimela were unsuccessful.
A request for comment was emailed but despite promising to reply, no response had been received at the time of going to print.
NPA spokesman, Kholiswa Mdhluli confirmed that the official had also been charged with defeating the ends of justice.
“The matter is sub judice and no further information can be provided with regards to the bail issue,” she added.
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