Bafana Pawula Mgodloli with the firearm he was found in possession of.
A 34-year-old foreign national from the Kingdom of Eswatini, identified as Bafana Pawula Mgodloli, has been arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and contravention of the Immigration Act in Nhlazatshe.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, the arrest took place on Wednesday, May 20, at approximately 12:00, following information received about a suspect allegedly in possession of a firearm in the area. Police acted swiftly on the intelligence and proceeded to the scene, where they successfully located the suspect.
“Upon searching the suspect, members recovered a black pistol with a brown handle. The firearm’s serial number had allegedly been filed off. During questioning, the suspect allegedly stated that he used the firearm for protection while conducting illegal mining activities in the area,” said Nonyane-Mpe.
The suspect was immediately arrested and charged accordingly. Police are also working closely with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to verify his immigration status.
Mgodloli appeared before the Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 21, where he was remanded in custody. He is expected to return to court for a bail application on May 27.
Meanwhile, Wiseman Nkosi, spokesperson for the Elukwatini police, praised the community for its role in assisting law enforcement.
“As the police at Elukwatini, we appreciate the healthy relationship we have with the community, which has led to this arrest. We urge community members to continue sharing information with the police so that we can root out criminality in our area. We will treat all information with the confidentiality and discretion it deserves,” Nkosi said.
Police have reiterated their commitment to combating illegal activities and ensuring safety within the
