AFTER six years of postponements, a Merebank man was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of an unlicensed gun.
On 12 August 2009, Wentworth SAPS crime prevention officers, Warrant Officer Derrick Naicker and Constable Mnikathi noticed four men acting suspiciously while they were on patrol in Merebank.
During a search of the men, they found one of them had a gun, which he told them was unlicensed. The men were arrested. When the case was first heard at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, the charges were withdrawn against the three other men.
Following many trial postponements investigating officer, W/O Walter Marais was able to give evidence on the ownership of firearm and other details, which led to the man being found guilty of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition on 27 August. He was given a five-year prison term and is unfit to possess a firearm and ammunition.
“The members were commended for effecting the arrest and recovering the firearm. W/O Marais was also commended for his investigative skills, ensuring the accused received a lengthy sentence,” said communications officer, Lieutenant MP Gumede.
