POSING as a police officer and causing havoc at a local tavern, a 22-year-old man was arrested and appeared at the Empangeni Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Facing charges for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition; the accused has also been charged with pointing a firearm and pretending to be a police officer.
It is alleged the accused man had pointed a firearm at a victim inside a local tavern in the Ngwelezane area.
The case has been remanded to 24 March for further investigation and the accused is to remain in custody at the Empangeni SAPS.
The recovered firearm is to be sent to ballistics for testing to establish whether the man may be linked to other crimes in which the firearm was used.
On Saturday, 15 March at about 5.45pm, specialised units of the Empangeni Crime Intelligence, Richards Bay Flying Squad, Public Order Police as well as the Empangeni K9 Unit had been conducting patrols in the Ngwelezane area when they received a complaint of a man recklessly pointing a firearm.
Police went to the local tavern where they encountered the man. He was questioned and informed the officers that he was a member of the Empangeni Tactical Response Team.
He was subsequently searched and found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol.
Following further questioning it was established that he was not a police officer and was immediately arrested and charged for the impersonation of a police officer.
