Traffic officers in court for possession of unlicensed firearm.

Robert Mangalana (51) and Clifford Lubisi (45) attached to the Tzaneen Traffic Station were arrested at a gun shop where they allegedly went to buy ammunition for a firearm which belonged to Mangalana’s late father.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said police were alerted to the gun shop and arrested the two suspects and charged them with possession of unlicensed firearm.

Ngoepe said preliminary investigations revealed that Mangana inherited a firearm from his father but failed to apply for a license to possess it.

He said investigations also revealed that after the owner died, the firearm was used until it run out of ammunition. The two were released on R1000 bail each and their case postponed to September 29, pending further investigations.

“We are going to leave no stone unturned to determine how and where the firearm was used after the legal owner died,” said Ngoepe.

He advised members of the public that if they want to keep a firearm belonging to deceased member of their family, they should first apply of license.

“Anyone found in possession of a firearm belonging to a deceased person without following the correct procedure, will be arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearm,” he added.