Man appears in court for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition

NORTHWEST – Maphoma Esaia Mokoatsela, aged 43, appeared in the Orkney Magistrates’ Court today for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Wednesday, 21 October 2020, for a formal bail application.

Mokoatsela was arrested on Tuesday, 13 October 2020, in Kanana Location near Orkney by the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Illicit Mining Task Team and Organised Crime Unit. That was after a suspicious silver SUV was stopped for a search. During the search, 54 pistol ammunition was found in the vehicle. The accused was then taken to his rented room where a 9mm pistol with eight ammunition was found in the kitchen cupboard. A further search conducted in the yard resulted in the discovery of another 9mm pistol with three ammunition in a stack of bricks.

As a result, the Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrest and lauded the members for their efforts and collaboration that led to the success.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is investigating.