Picture: The ammunition allegedly found in possession of one of the suspects/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Four suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in separate incidents in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom. In the first incident, the police in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp, arrested Ditaba Matjobe (32) on 27 December 2023 for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said the police received a tip-off regarding the suspect in possession of illegal firearm and ammunition. Tselanyane further said that led the police to a house at Extension 11 in Jouberton Township.
He added that a search was conducted at the place and the police arrested the suspect, who is a Lesotho national after being found in possession of a firearm.
“He briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 28 December 2023. He was remanded in custody for verification of his status in the country and formal bail application. Matjobe’s case was postponed to 5 January 2024.
“In another unrelated incident in Potchefstroom, the police arrested two suspects aged 43 and 25 for possession of suspected stolen property and ammunition. The duo were seen by the private security company’s personnel walking along Steve Biko Street in the Central Business District (CBD) carrying bags at around 4:10am on 29 December 2023,” said Tselanyane.
He said upon being stopped and searched, several items including 80x live R1 rifle ammunition, 15x 9mm ammunition, antique Ball Bearing (BB) gun, electrical plugs, smoking pipe and numerous other goods were found in their possession.
Tselanyane said the suspects were immediately arrested and are expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 2 January 2024.
“Still in Potchefstroom, on 29 December 2023 at around 11:30, the police were busy with routine patrols around town when they arrested a man (29) at a house in Thabo Mbeki Street. The police allegedly went to the address to conduct a search, when they found a man in one of the rooms.
“During the search, they found four 9mm ammunition in a bag. The suspect was arrested after failing to give a reasonable account of the possession. He is also expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 2 January 2024 on a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Sello Kwena, lauded all members involved for their vigilance that led to the arrests and seizures.
The Guardian 