THE Durban Regional Court sentenced Daniel Reyneke (65), a former policeman, to an effective 15 years imprisonment on September 7, following his conviction for ammunition and gun charges.

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Reyneke was supposed to have been sentenced on August 29 after being found guilty in June but had not shown up for his sentencing hearing, leading to magistrate Anand Maharaj issuing a warrant of arrest.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisoon-Kara did not say how Reyneke was eventually apprehended but said he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for the theft of firearms, 10 years imprisonment for the possession of firearms, and three years imprisonment for the loss of the firearm and possession of ammunition. The three years will run concurrently with the 10-year sentence, resulting in the effective 15 years imprisonment.

Ramkisoon-Kara said during the commission of his duties, Reyneke would book out the firearms and not return them.

“Following a detailed investigation, it was discovered that Reyneke was the investigating officer in the matters where the firearms found in his possession, were exhibits. Two of the firearms, which he signed for in 1997 and 2001, were found in a river in Amanzimtoti. Other firearms were found in his office, even though there was a standing order which did not permit the members of the Organised Crime Unit to keep exhibits on the premises. Two of the firearms found in his office had no dockets registered for them and no serial numbers, thus rendering him in possession of prohibited firearms,” she said.

Daniel Reyneke has started serving his sentence after initially not showing up in court for sentencing.

The NPA welcomed Reyneke’s successful prosecution and commended the work done by the prosecution and the investigating team.

“This matter is indicative of the NPA’s commitment to holding state officials accountable for their unlawful actions,” said Ramkisoon-Kara.

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