Johannesburg – A police officer in charge of firearm licences in Gauteng has been arrested for theft and illegal possession of ammunition, police said on Wednesday.

Colonel Chris Prinsloo was arrested last week in Vereeniging after he was allegedly found in possession of 750 rounds of ammunition, said police spokesman Lt-Gen Solomon Makgale.

“He appeared on Monday in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court and was released on bail of R5 000,” said Makgale.

“The investigation started more than a year ago in the Western Cape as part of Operation Combat which aimed at addressing gangsterism,” said Makgale.

He said the investigation was continuing but could not provide further details at this stage.

Eyewitness News however, reported that Prinsloo’s arrest was apparently linked to a wider investigation relating to police officers selling firearms, ammunition and gun licences to criminal gangs operating primarily in the Western Cape.

Prinsloo was expected back in court on March 11.

Makgale expressed disappointment at Prinsloo’s arrest, adding that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega wanted to ensure that the police served the nation with the highest level of ethical and professional conduct.

Sapa

Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has asked premier David Makhura to call for a referendum to test the views of local residents on e-tolls.

The DA maintains that Gauteng residents want the total scrapping of e-tolls and nothing else.

The main opposition’s call came on Tuesday as Makhura urged local residents to offer suggestions on what he should include in his planned second State of the Province address on February.

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