By REGINALD KANYANE
Four men were arrested for being in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Christiana. David Baloyi (47), Joa Masson (49), Roger Motswasele (52), and Joel Msimango (28) briefly appeared at Christina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botma said the accused were arrested during a roadblock on the N12 road between Christiana and Bloemhof last week. Botma said the police stopped and searched a white Ford sedan with Gauteng number plate.
“During the search, a custom built 30.06. firearm with a filed-off serial number, a silencer, ammunition, gloves, axe, and two knives was found in the vehicle. The four occupants were arrested and the vehicle was seized.
“Through the silencer, the manufacture of the firearm as well as the owner were traced. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic tests and possible linkage to a case of theft of a firearm in Rustenburg in 2021,” she said.
Botma further said the preliminary investigations revealed that the seized vehicle belongs to a rental company in Gauteng. She added that the investigations into the matter are underway and the police cannot rule out any possibility of linking the accused to other crimes in North West and other provinces.
The suspects will remain in custody until 2 August 2022 for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena expressed his gratitude for the police’s efforts in the fight against the illegal proliferation of firearms.
The Guardian 