In a bid to curb rhino poaching and due to the vigilance of police members, three accused; Jafta Makwakwa (48), Simon Khoza (44) and Albert Mathe (28) appeared briefly in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 1 October 2018, for illegal possession of firearm, ammunition and possession of dangerous weapons.
The accused will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 11 October 2018, for a formal bail application.
The accused court appearance emanated from their arrests by police in Sun City on Friday, 28 September 2018. It is alleged that the police were on routine patrol when they spotted and stopped a white 1400 Nissan bakkie with four occupants for a search. According to information received, the driver fled the scene, leaving behind the keys in the vehicle’s ignition.
When the police searched the vehicle and occupants they found the following items: one 375 calibre rifle, 10 rounds of ammunition, one silencer, one big knife and one big Axe. The police also seized three cell phones and arrested the suspects, who failed to give proper account of the properties found in their possession.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane applauded the members involved for their vigilance that led to the arrest just a day after the Rhino Poaching Summit that was held and conducted on Thursday, 27 September 2018, to discuss strategies to curb the scourge. She said police will continue to enhance visibility to proactively discourage crime.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
