CONSTABLE FOUND WITH UNLICENSED FIREARM, ARRESTED

Complainant Sergeant Nomaswazi Precious Maziya reported that on 17/05/2024, around 16:30, she was at her residence at 4463 Ntuli Street, Ermelo, in Wesselton. She received information regarding a case docket she was investigating, Ermelo Case: 337/04/2024, involving a charge of common robbery with a 9mm Taurus firearm with five rounds. She requested backup and was joined by Sergeants Mkoko and Zwane. Together, they proceeded to Emadamini to apprehend a suspect named Thulani John Thela. Upon arrival, they found and arrested the suspect for the charge of common robbery.

Sergeant Maziya questioned the suspect about the firearm alleged to have been robbed. The suspect stated that he handed the firearm over to an on-duty police officer on 13/05/2024. The officer, whose name was not disclosed to the suspect, took the firearm as if he would register it in the SAPS 13 book but did not. Instead, the officer left the police station with the firearm and kept it until he was arrested on 17/05/2024.

The officer, whose name is known to this publication, stationed at SAPS Ermelo as a relief B shift worker, was off duty when arrested. He was detained under Ermelo Case: 171/05/2024, SAP 14: 145/05/2024, and SAP 13: 740/2024 without injuries. The case remains under investigation.