Africa-Press – South-Africa. Two Free State men were arrested after an unlicenced firearm was dug up from a grave, while another one was found under a car’s floor mat.
On Tuesday, a 21-year-old man from Intabazwe opened a case after he was allegedly assaulted by a friend over the weekend.
During questioning, it was found the two had fought over a firearm belonging to the complainant’s dead uncle.
Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said the complainant then took the police to his uncle’s grave where he dug out a black plastic bag containing the gun.
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“He was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicenced firearm,” added Mophiring.
He said the complainant had hidden the gun.
“It could have been that he was avoiding a situation where his friend could have used the gun for unknown reasons, putting him or his friends at risk.
“Even if that was the case, one cannot own an unlicenced firearm.
“If you find yourself inheriting a gun from a loved one who has passed on, you must still apply for a licence to possess it rather than to hide it in graves or behind wardrobes,” said Mophiring.
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In a separate incident later that day, a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicenced firearm that was found under the floor mat of his car.
According to Mophiring, at around 20:30, police received information about a suspicious silver BMW driving on the N5 between Bethlehem and Harrismith.
“The vehicle was spotted and all the occupants and vehicle were searched and a firearm was found hidden underneath the carpet. The driver was arrested,” he said.
Both suspects are expected to appear in the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court soon.
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