A 32-year-old suspect arrested for negligent handling of a firearm after he gave his son aged 13, his licensed firearm yesterday, 29 March 2022 at Rabali Village in the Mphephu policing area, has appeared in Mphephu Magistrate’s Court today.
The father, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his son, was released on R1 000-00 bail and will appear again in court on 04 May 2022.
The two suspects were arrested after members of the community noticed that the boy was armed with a firearm while he was playing with his friends and they immediately called the Police. Upon arrival at the scene, Police found the boy armed with a 9mm pistol with an empty magazine and he was arrested. He informed the Police that the firearm belonged to his father.
Further investigation into the matter led to the arrest of the suspect’s father for allegedly giving his son his licensed firearm for protection. The 13-year-old boy was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and was released into the custody of his mother. He is expected to appear in court on Monday, 04 April 2022, and will be dealt with in accordance with the Child Justice Act.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers has commended community members for alerting the Police about the incident which shows the relationship between members of the community and the Police in the fight against crime continues to strengthen.
“In terms of the existing law, firearms can only be kept in a locked safe or carried in a holster by the license holder or a legal person. Parents are also urged to protect their children instead of exposing them to danger, Concluded Major General Jan Scheepers.
The suspect will further be subjected to the process of determining his fitness to possess a firearm. Police investigations are still continuing.