Second arms dealer arrested
Police have arrested an arms dealer linked to the illegal firearm trade.
|||Cape Town - Police have arrested an arms dealer linked to the illegal firearm trade.
The arrest of a 50-year-old man follows that of former police colonel Christiaan Prinsloo, 55, who appeared in court last month for allegedly selling guns and ammunition to Cape Flats gangs. Police arrested both men in Vereeniging.
The suspect is to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Police spokesperson André Traut said the man also faced charges of theft and was subject to an ongoing investigation. “During the arrest, firearms ranging from assault rifles to smaller calibre arms were seized.”
Western Cape deputy commissioner Jeremy Vearey will address the media on Friday on the finer details.
Prinsloo had been stationed in Vereeniging in Gauteng for 35 years and co-ordinated the confiscated firearms stores. It was his responsibility to ensure that forfeited firearms were destroyed.
He was arrested on January 16 and faces 28 provisional charges. They include corruption, money laundering, murder, attempted murder and being in contravention of the Firearms Control Act for selling, supplying or giving possession of ammunition to persons not allowed to possess firearms.
According to the charge sheet, Prinsloo had stolen 38 firearms. He is set to appear again on September 11.
carlo.petersen@inl.co.za
Cape Times