SAPS clerk
suspected of theft of a firearm
11 Jan 2013
11 Jan 2013
Witness Reporter
AN administrative clerk, Skholiwe Jerome Ngcobo, at Taylor’s Halt police station was arrested on Friday last week for apparently stealing a firearm that had been surrendered for destruction.
Police spokesperson Joey Jeevan said Bishopstowe police are investigating the case of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
She told The Witness that members of the SAPS Pietermaritzburg Tactical Response Team (TRT) had received a tip-off and, following up on the their lead, went to a house in the Maqongqo area where they arrested Ngcobo (38).
“He was found in possession of an unlicensed 9 mm Browning pistol and one live 9 mm round of ammunition,” Jeevan said.
Jeevan said the police were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the origin of the firearm and whether the firearm was indeed stolen before it had to be placed in the exhibit room at Taylor’s Halt police station.
Ngcobo made his first court appearance in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until next week Monday.
In terms of the Firearm Control Act 2000 (Act 60 of 2000), firearms that are voluntarily surrendered to the police are entered into the SAP 13 Control Register and signed for by the Exhibit Clerk.
“An SAPS 522 (a) form is completed for administration purposes. The firearm is then forwarded to ballistics and goes through a series of tests to establish if it was used in the commission of an offence. If the tests are negative, the firearm is then sent for disposal,” Jeevan added.
She said police are still investigating.
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