Latest news with #FirearmsControlAct
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Kraaifontein man sentenced to life for killing two police officers
Sergeant Mnakwazo Welcome Mdoko, and Constable Mninawa Breakfast were killed in Kraaifontein. Image: Supplied A man who gunned down two police officers during a patrol in Kraaifontein has been sentenced to two life terms and 47 years in prison. Mxoleleni Sikhahla, 36, was convicted in the Western Cape High Court for the February 2021 killings of Sergeant Mnakwazo Mdoko and Constable Mninawa Breakfast. The sentence was handed down on Wednesday, June 19, 2025, following Sikhahla's conviction on nine of 10 charges. The murders took place in the early hours of February 28, 2021, when Sergeant Mdoko, 44, and Constable Breakfast, 32, were ambushed while on patrol in Nondakuthini Street, Bloekombos. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, spokesperson for the Hawks, said the officers were seated in their patrol vehicle when they were attacked. 'They were fatally shot while in their patrol vehicle,' Hani said. 'It was further reported that Mdoko and Breakfast were declared dead on the scene and their official firearms were robbed in the early hours of 28 February 2021.' The officers were ambushed at about 1.25am, according to the investigation. Sikhahla was found guilty on two counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, three counts of possession of a prohibited firearm, and contravention of the Firearms Control Act. He was acquitted on one charge of attempted murder. The court ordered that the sentences on all counts except the first would run concurrently with one of the life sentences, resulting in Sikhahla effectively serving life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. The attempted murder charge arose from the shooting of a woman who was also in the police vehicle during the incident. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said she was shot in the head and initially not accounted for. 'Please note that the attempted murder charge against Mxoleleni Sikhhala relates to a woman who was shot in the head. She was also in the police van,' he said. A police source close to the investigation said the woman's presence only became known later. 'When cops arrived in Phumla Street, there were only two occupants in the van. 'There was a trail of blood, and at the time, no one suspected that there was a person there. It was only discovered about a day later that there was a woman who was also shot during the incident.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Drakenstein Municipality denies illegal firearms possession claims
The Drakenstein Municipality has denied allegations that it is illegally in possession of 64 firearms in violation of the Firearms Control Act. Image: File THE DA-led Drakenstein Municipality has dismissed as misinformation claims that it was illegally in possession of 64 firearms in violation of the Firearms Control Act. The GOOD Party had sounded the alarm that the municipality had allegedly never applied for recognition as an official institution after the Firearms Control Act came into force on 1 July 2004. GOOD councillor Keagen Gertse said the municipality was in breach of Schedule 1 of the Act, which 'required non-recognised institutions to surrender such firearms to SAPS'. 'Drakenstein is not authorised to own, store, or use firearms. Yet, it continues to do all three, with full knowledge of the law and in blatant defiance of it. This revelation raises serious concerns about the safety of residents and the credibility of the DA's governance. How can the same party summon SAPS to Parliament over gun crime when its own municipality is hoarding illegal weapons and potentially using them for training or operational purposes? 'The GOOD Party can confirm that Drakenstein Municipality never applied for recognition as an official institution after the Firearms Control Act came into force on 1 July 2004. Instead, it has continued to unlawfully possess an arsenal of weapons, for 21 years, in breach of Schedule 1 of the Act, which required non-recognised institutions to surrender such firearms to SAPS,' said Gertse. He said GOOD will be 'tabling this matter in the relevant oversight forums and demanding that SAPS act swiftly to seize these illegal firearms'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, according to the municipality they had been authorised by police to be in possession of firearms and ammunition. 'The allegation that Drakenstein Municipality is in possession of illegal firearms is deprived of any truth and aims to bring the Municipality in disrepute, which is regrettable. Misinformation spread in this regard is not only reckless but also very irresponsible. The Municipality is authorised by the South African Police Service or SAPS (the delegated authority of the National Commissioner) to be in possession of firearms and ammunition in terms of the law, and firearms are kept and managed in line with prevailing rules and legislation. Regular firearms inspections are carried out by SAPS, of which the latest one was done by the SAPS Provincial Office on 7 June 2025,' the municipality said. Gertse said the visit from SAPS was not a regular firearms inspection, 'it was as part of the Municipality's application to become an official institution in terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000'. 'There exists no alternative legal framework in which a Municipality can own or be in possession of firearms or ammunition, outside of being an official institution and registered in the national Registrar or by authorisation from the National Commissioner. It was admitted in a Portfolio Committee that they did opt to apply for recognition when the Firearms Control Act came into effect and are only exploring this avenue now as they want to procure new firearms,' he said. Western Cape police were unable to answer questions seeking confirmation of the inspection and what authorisation the municipality did have and when it was obtained. They also asked to be provided with a case number and where it was registered to source correct information. DA Western Cape leader, Tertuis Simmers said the issue was a governance matter which the Drakenstein Municipality had responded to. 'On 7 June 2025 SAPS inspected and gave the Drakenstein Municipality and its Law Enforcement, who use firearms, a thumbs up,' he said. Cape Times
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Three arrested for illegal firearms and ammunition in Eastern Cape
Three suspects have been arrested for being in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition, and military-grade equipment in Port St. John's, Eastern Cape. A coordinated intelligence-driven operation by SAPS Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Combat units executed search warrants at two homesteads in Tombo A/A and Mthumbane. The illegal firearms are allegedly linked to taxi violence and cash-in-transit robberies. The team members made their first stop at Tombo A/A, where they found the first suspect, a 46-year-old female who failed to produce valid documentation for ammunition, even though she had a firearm license. Her counterpart, a 52-year-old male, was found in possession of an unlicensed shotgun. The third suspect, a 38-year-old female, was found with a wooden case containing multiple rifles in Mthumbane. Initially, she claimed she had no knowledge of the firearms and pinned them on her husband. All three suspects are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and Contravention of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000). They will make their court appearance at the Port St. John's Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, commended the team's work ethic in combating crime. 'This operation underscores SAPS's commitment to dismantling criminal networks that terrorise our communities. The seizure of weapons, especially military-style rifles, disrupts planned violent crimes and enhances public safety. We urge communities to report illegal firearms anonymously via Crime Stop,' said General Kupiso. A 25-year-old female Mozambican national was arrested for illegal processing of suspected precious minerals on Friday, 13 June 2025. The Mopani District Illicit Mining Task Team in Limpopo were patrolling along the Nsami River in Mavalani Village when they discovered five individuals processing gold in the river. Upon approaching the suspects, they all fled in different directions; however, the female suspect was caught and apprehended. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Woman throws husband under the bus after police find firearms in her home during a raid
All three suspects face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and Contravention of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000). Police have arrested three suspects and recovered firearms during a raid in Port St. John's this week. According to Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, police conducted a coordinated intelligence-driven operation by Saps Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Combat units from 12 to 13 June 2025. 'Acting on credible intelligence regarding illegal firearms linked to taxi violence and cash-in-transit robberies, the TRT Recce Team, supported by OR Tambo and Joe Gqabi Combat Teams, executed search warrants at two homesteads in Tombo A/A and Mthumbane,' said Gantana. Police raids At the first address (Tombo A/A), a 46-year-old woman presented a firearm license for a shotgun and 9mm pistol but failed to produce a competency certificate or valid documentation for ammunition. ALSO READ: 7 suspects, including 2 linked to Mozambican national murder, arrested for illegal firearms Her co-accused, a 52-year-old man, was found in possession of an unlicensed shotgun. Exhibits seized are as follows: 1 x Shotgun, 1 x 9mm Pistol, 1 x Pistol Magazine, 33 x 9mm Cartridges and 5 x Shotgun Shells At the second address in Mthumbane, a 38-year-old woman was found with a wooden case containing multiple rifles. She claimed no knowledge of the firearms, stating they belonged to her husband. Exhibits seized were 10 x AK-47 Rifles, 19 x Magazines, 100 x 7.62 Cartridges,10 x Cleaning Kits, 4 x 9mm Pouches and 10 x Oil Canisters. All three suspects face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and Contravention of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000). ALSO READ: Alarm as lost or stolen firearms end up in hands of criminals They are scheduled to appear before the Port St. John's Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. 'This operation underscores SAPS' commitment to dismantling criminal networks that terrorise our communities. The seizure of weapons, especially military-style rifles, disrupts planned violent crimes and enhances public safety. We urge communities to report illegal firearms anonymously via Crime Stop,' said Acting Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso. Firearms and explosives In another incident in the North West, the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, in collaboration with the Crime Intelligence and Tactical Response Team (TRT), arrested a 32-year-old suspect on Thursday for allegedly dealing in explosives. ALSO READ: Four arrested, five firearms recovered in KwaZulu-Natal The suspect was arrested in Kanana township following an intelligence-driven operation. This follows information received about a suspect alleged to be in possession of explosives stolen from a mine, which were being sold. The team operationalised the information and nabbed the suspect soon after selling the explosives for R10 000. The suspect is expected to appear in the Orkney Magistrate's Court on Monday. READ NEXT: Clarity given on private security industry's proposed 'firearms ban'
TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
The ministry of police is hiring
Notice calling for nominations for TWO people to serve as members of the Firearms Appeal Board This is a re-advertisement of Ref CSP/02/2025. Applicants who previously applied should not reapply. The police minister hereby invites applications from candidates, and nominations of suitable candidates, to be considered for appointment to serve as a member of the Firearms Appeal Board in terms of section 128 of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000). The Firearms Appeal Board is responsible for considering appeals against decisions of the Registrar of Firearms relating to applications made in terms of the Firearms Control Act. Reference number: CSP/03/2025 Centre: Pretoria Period of appointment: The members of the Appeal Board are appointed on contract for a period not exceeding five years on a part-time basis. Remuneration: The remuneration and allowances of the members are prescribed by the minister with the approval of the finance minister. Requirements: The member of the Firearms Appeal Board must be a South African citizen; Be a fit and proper person; Not have any criminal convictions and should not have been previously found guilty of misconduct in the public service or in the private sector; Have a tertiary academic qualification with a demonstrable knowledge of administrative law and procedure; Have a sound knowledge of the Firearms Control Act, 2000, and the regulations; Have a theoretical knowledge of firearms; and Have practised in their specific field of knowledge for at least five years. Duties: Considering appeals against decisions made by the Registrar of Firearms in terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000; Considering representations made during the appeal hearing; Requesting additional evidence as may be required; Finalising appeals and making decisions within prescribed time frames; Reducing the backlog on pending appeals; Compiling reports to the minister on appeals, systemic and other problems that result in appeals; and Making recommendations to the minister of police on measures to address the systemic causes leading to appeals. Applications: The nomination of the proposed candidate must include a letter of motivation for the nomination, a signed confirmation that the candidate meets all the statutory requirements for appointment, and the candidate's detailed curriculum vitae with supporting documents. Nominations/or applications, marked for the attention of the director: Human Resources Management, must be submitted in writing to the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS). Applications can be submitted via: Closing date: June 20 2025 Enquires: Contact the director: Human Resources Management of the CSPS on 012 493 1385. General notice to applicants: Persons wishing to serve as a member of the board must satisfy the requirements in terms of the Act. The successful nominee/applicant will be appointed for a period of not exceeding five years on such terms and conditions as the minister may determine. No late applications will be accepted. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the candidate being disqualified. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a security clearance of Top Secret. National head: Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) This is a re-advertisement of Ref: DPCI/SMS/HO/SMS/01/2025. Applicants who previously applied should not reapply. Reference number: DPCI/SMS/HO/SMS/06/2025 Centre: Pretoria Appointing authority: The minister of police, with the concurrence of cabinet, must appoint the national head of the DPCI (commonly known as the Hawks) and report to parliament on the appointment. Period of appointment: A non-renewable fixed-term contract of not less than seven years and not exceeding 10 years, subject to the conditions imposed by the SA Police Service Act (Act 68 of 1995). Remuneration: The remuneration, allowances and other terms and conditions of service and service benefits shall be determined by the minister of police with the concurrence of the finance minister, by notice in the Government Gazette. An all-inclusive remuneration package of not less than R2,151,324.00 per annum will be payable. Salary level: 15 — Lieutenant General Requirements: The applicant must be a South African citizen and be a fit and proper person with relevant experience, conscientiousness and integrity to be entrusted with the statutory responsibilities of the position. Section 17E of the SA Police Service Act, 1995 requires that the applicant shall be subjected to a security screening investigation in terms of and in accordance with section 2A of the National Strategic Intelligence Act (Act 39 of 1994). The successful candidate must hold a recognised degree or equivalent qualification in Policing, Police Science, Police Management, Criminal Law, Forensic Investigation, Criminology, Management, Public Management and/or Administration or related relevant qualifications with a track record of at least seven years' senior management experience and proven leadership skills. The applicant must also have: Sound knowledge of the functioning of the criminal justice cluster; Sound knowledge of the principles of corporate governance; Strategic capability, leadership, and people-management skills; Sound financial skills with knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999; and Good analytical and communication skills. Duties: The national head of the DPCI must ensure that the DPCI performs its functions as provided for in section 17D of the SA Police Service Act, 1995; Determine the fixed establishment of the DPCI and appoint the staff of the DPCI; Manage and control all members of the DPCI in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of South Africa and any other applicable legislation; Prepare and provide the National Commissioner with the necessary estimate of revenue and expenditure of the DPCI for incorporation in the estimate revenue and expenditure of the SA Police Service; Control monies appropriated by parliament in respect of the expenses of the DPCI; Make presentations to parliament on the budget of the DPCI; Lead and provide strategic direction to the DPCI at national and provincial levels; and Develop and maintain sound relationships with relevant government departments or institutions to assist the DPCI to achieve its objectives. Applications: Applications for the post must be submitted on the prescribed application form, obtainable from the SAPS website under the link 'careers'. Application forms can also be obtained from the DPCI by emailing MonyelaM@ or WesselsA@ The application form must be fully completed and the particulars of the post must be correctly specified on the form. All applications must be accompanied by a comprehensive curriculum vitae, copies of all educational qualifications, study records and supporting documents (which need not be certified). Applications must be emailed to recruitment22@ Closing date: June 20 2025 Conditions: The successful candidate will be required to:
