An African National Congress (ANC) ward councillor in the Nkandla Local Municipality, situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, has been arrested for possessing an illegal firearm.
The identity of the councillor remains undisclosed until the plea is entered during the court appearance scheduled for August 14 at the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court.
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Reliable sources within the Musa Dladla region (King Cetshwayo district) of the ANC reported that the 30-year-old councillor was arrested in the farming town of Melmoth.
The exact circumstances leading to the arrest have not been clarified. Nevertheless, it is known that he spent one night in police custody before securing bail, the exact amount of which has not been revealed.
SurgeZirc SA obtained the SAPS case number (CAS 64/07/2023) and the police in KwaZulu-Natal verified the arrest, confirming that the councillor would be back in court in mid-August.
Constable Thenjiwe Ngcobo, spokesperson for SAPS in the province, disclosed that the councillor was apprehended in the Fahlaza area.
“Melmoth police are investigating a case of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition following an incident in which a 30-year-old man was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition on July 13, 2023, in the notorious Fahlaza.”
“It is alleged that the suspect failed to produce a firearm license. The suspect was arrested and made his first court appearance on July 14, 2023, before the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court. The matter was remanded to August 14, 2023,” said Ngcobo.
Sibusiso Sibiya, the Speaker of Nkandla Local Municipality, confirmed that they were aware of the arrest of one of their councillors. He stated that during a special council sitting on Thursday, he approached the suspected councillor for an explanation.
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However, the ANC councillor requested to be excused, promising to discuss the matter after their meeting. Unfortunately, he did not follow through with that commitment. In light of this, Sibiya announced his intention to write a formal letter, inviting the councillor to present his side of the story.
The Nkandla municipality is currently under the control of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which recently won a highly contested by-election against the ANC.
