Tonga – A 43-year-old tavern patron, Jubulani Ngomane, has been arrested after the police found him with a gun that belonged to a dead person.
The suspect, who was nabbed while enjoying himself at a tavern in Tonga, near Malelane, Mpumalanga, has been remanded in custody by the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court.
Ngomane has been charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He will next appear in court on 21 November 2023.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the patron was arrested through a tip-off.
He said their preliminary probe uncovered that the black CZ 83 pistol was registered with the particulars of a deceased person in Emalahleni (formerly Witbank).
“Police responded swiftly and upon arrival at the liquor outlet he was cornered and searched,”‘ said Colonel Mdhluli.
“He failed to produce a firearm licence and he was then apprehended and charged.
“The firearm will undergo for ballistic testing to determine whether it was not previously used in a commission of crime somewhere else.”
Colonel Mdhluli said the law required that those in possession of firearms have a valid firearm licence.
“The public is once again being informed that everyone should adhere to the Firearm Control Act by making new applications for licences to possess firearms, including those firearms belonging to the deceased persons.
“If not interested in owning such firearms, they should then be surrendered to the authorities.”
