SECURITY was tight at the Mkhuhlu Magistrates Court on Thursday, 31 March.
This as Tshepo Sihlabela appeared for possession of an unlawful firearm and ammunition.
The 38-year-old from Marite Village, Mpumalanga, who was brought to court by Alexandra cops from Gauteng, also faces other counts of murder and attempted murder which happened in Joburg.
He also has previous convictions for possession of an unlawful firearm and theft.
The court granted him R2 000 bail. His co-accused Samkelo Sihlabela (26), who also faces charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, was released on R1 000 bail on 17 March.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the two were nabbed in Marite Village on 11 March by the Tactical Response Team from Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, in partnership with the Calcutta Task Team.“Police received information from members of the public about individuals who were reportedly in possession of firearms at a tavern in Jim Brown in Marite.
“A sting operation was swiftly carried out and the two men were identified and searched accordingly.
“One of the men was found with a 9mm Girsan pistol, while the other was reportedly found with a 9mm Norinco pistol in his possession.”
Mohlala said preliminary investigations unearthed the two were somehow fingered in a string of serious cases, including the murder of a police officer in Marite Village, a murder case in Alexandra and robberies.
“Police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspects to other crimes committed elsewhere,” he said.
The matter was postponed to 4 May for further police investigations.
