Trio receives lengthy sentence for possession of unlicensed firearm, ammunition
The police said they are proud and satisfied with the sentence and believe it will serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals.
Reiger Park SAPS management has welcomed the conviction and lengthy jail terms handed down to two men and a woman for possession of an unlawful gun and ammunition – thanks to the relentless and diligent investigation from two members of the police station.
The trio was arrested in Ramaphosa for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition after Reiger Park SAPS’s Sgt Mashudu Phathela and Sgt Maxwell Siweya recovered an unlicensed 9mm pistol (Norinco) and several rounds of ammunition.
Follow-up investigations were conducted and following the lengthy trial, all three were convicted and subsequently handed down their sentences in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Regional Court.
Thabo Tshepo Komane (35), Phumelela Mampuru (24) and Joel Maruatona (30) were each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of a gun. An additional two-year jail term was imposed on Komane for possession of ammunition.
On top of that, the trio was declared unfit to possess a firearm for 99 years.
How did it come about?
On the night of August 17, 2017, the two police officers heard gunshots while carrying out investigations into reports of suspects who were reportedly terrorising residents of Ramaphosa and robbing them of their belongings at gunpoint.
The officers tactically headed down the dark, narrow path toward the shooting scene and, with the help of informants, managed to find the gunman, Komane, at his home. Police found him in possession of ammunition before he was put under arrest.
It also emerged that the gunshots the officers heard were fired by Komane while robbing people of their money before his reign of terror came to an end.
Investigations revealed that while Komane was being detained at the police station, his girlfriend, Mampuru, removed the gun and gave it to her boyfriend’s friend, Maruatona. Along with Komane and Mampuru, the officers descended on Maruatona’s home and found the firearm in question. The loaded firearm was hidden in a plastic bag.
Komane’s friend and the girlfriend were arrested and charged in accordance with the Firearms Control Act.
Police hope heavy sentences serve as deterrent to would-be criminals
The police believe the heavy sentences imposed on the trio for possession of a weapon have sent a strong and clear message to would-be offenders that crime in the area will not be tolerated.
“Removing of the weapon and the long period of incarcerations will protect the community and serve as a warning to others who are keeping illegal weapons.”
