Latest news with #FirearmsControlAct
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Fake attorney jailed for posing as legal practitioner in court
A 43-year-old man who falsely represented himself as a legal practitioner has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Rustenburg. Johannes Tebogo Motse operated for months without registration, deceiving multiple clients and forging legal documents to support his fraudulent activities. Between February and November 2022, Motse illegally appeared in courtrooms as a legal practitioner and took on cases despite having no legal credentials. Furthermore, he went as far as forging a fidelity fund certificate, an admission certificate, and a right of appearance certificate to make his claims convincing. One victim paid Motse R15 000 to file an appeal, but never received any legal service. Additionally, when the client realised the appeal had not progressed, they contacted the police. Investigators quickly uncovered that Motse was not registered with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa. Motse pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud, one count of theft, two counts of forgery, and two counts of uttering. The court also grouped the fraud, forgery, and uttering charges and imposed a six-year direct prison sentence. He received a two-year suspended sentence on the theft charge, provided he repays the R15 000 to the complainant by 31 August. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act. Advocate Matshidiso Ramakgaphola stressed that such crimes are growing frequently and must be dealt with firmly. The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the ruling and praised the state advocate for her work. 'These sentences underscore the NPA's commitment to combating bogus legal practitioners and protecting the integrity of the legal profession and the public,' said Dr Makhari. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Closing arguments due in Malema's firearm discharge case
JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema is expected back at the East London Magistrates Court, where closing arguments will be heard in his firearm discharge trial. Malema is accused of firing a gun on stage at a rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, 2018. His security official, Adriaan Snyman, is accused of giving him the alleged weapon and will also be back in the dock with Malema on Monday morning. The pair faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and contravening the Firearms Control Act. The closing arguments were initially set down for the end of 2024 but proceedings in the long-running trial hit a snag when the magistrate in the matter fell ill. READ: Malema's bodyguard calls on gun expert as first witness in duo's firearm discharge trial Previously, the defence led the evidence of two expert witnesses in firearms control and forensic ballistics for Snyman. Malema testified in his own defence. This is what Malema had to say when he took to the stand a year ago. 'My DNA is not found on that weapon, my house was never searched, my workplace was never searched looking for that weapon, I was never questioned about that weapon. I must come to this court and answer for weapons that cannot not be brought anywhere close to my skin or to me.' While Malema believes the State is clutching at straws, prosecutors believe they've made their case.
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Man arrested for possession of ammunition and other related items
Man arrested for possession of ammunition and other related items The SAPS in Mpumalanga arrested a 64-year-old after he was found in possession of a haul of ammunition on a farm near Barberton today, Thursday, July 10. ALSO READ: Three arrested for 2022 murder of Mkhondo councillor Acting on a tip-off, a search warrant was issued. The police surprised the man and asked to search the premises. They made the discovery of the illegal items and arrested the suspect. 'We can confirm the arrest. The suspect has been charged with the illegal possession of ammunition and other related items in terms of the Firearms Control Act,' said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. He said the suspect has been scheduled to make his first appearance in the Barberton Magistrate's Court tomorrow, Friday, July 11. This is a developing story and Lowvelder will update its readers when more information is available. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
MaMkhize threatens to sue Ian Cameron over Vusi Matlala 'link'
Shauwn Mkhize – also known as MaMkhize – has threatened to sue Portfolio Committee on Police chairman Ian Cameron over his allegations linking her to alleged fraudulent businessman Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. The bombshell claim was made in a media briefing on Monday, 7 July, following KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's underworld allegations about the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. Cameron claimed that MaMkhize – who has been previously convicted of bribery, tax evasion, and forgery – was associates with both Mchunu and Matlala. Speaking to IOL, Iam Cameron conceded he had erroneously linked MaMkhize to controversial tenderpreneur, Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. He said: 'I can confirm that it was a slip-up with the name and that the guns did in fact belong to Vusi Xaba and not Matlala. However, while the ownership was legal, the storage of the arms was illegal.' During a media briefing on Monday, Cameron said: 'During that raid, a whole cache of firearms was seized. All of those firearms were registered to a security company belonging to none other than Mr Cat Matlala'. Cameron is referring to a SARS raid of MaMkhize's La Lucia mansion last November amid reports she owes R40 million in unpaid taxes. He also mentioned businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who, Nhlanla Mkhwanazi previously claimed, is believed to have benefited from his relationship with Minister Senzo Mchunu. Cameron added in his speech that all the firearms had been returned to Matlala despite their call for an inquiry. Meanwhile, MaMhize's legal team have ordered Iam Cameron to retract his statement about Vusi Matlala and publicly apologise. Her lawyer, Mpho Nefuri, said, 'My client's name was erroneously linked to criminal activity, and even SAPS was mentioned to give the false claim credence. There's been no report from SAPS to say the arms were illegally owned or stored, and my client does not even know this, Vusi Matlala.' The legal representative continued: 'This retraction must be published and or broadcast in the same parliament and all media coverage. It must be clear and explicit on your retraction that the allegations were false. Without basis and verification, and lacked authenticity. And that you deeply regret that you made them.' Ian Cameron accused MaMkhize of being linked criminally accused Vusimusi Cat Matlala and Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. However, he later admitted to making a 'slip up'. Images via X In response, Cameron told the Citizen that, irrespective of his slip-up, MaMkhize was guilty of unlawfully storing firearms belonging to the licensed holder. He said: 'Raising serious questions about regulatory failure, firearm control, and private security oversight. 'These matters are of clear public interest and fall squarely within my constitutional oversight role as a Member of Parliament, which is protected by parliamentary privilege. 'The firearms were stored in contravention of PSIRA's own regulations and seemingly the Firearms Control Act'. Vusi Xaba is MaMkhize's bodyguard and owner of VVIP Protection and VIP Security. According to reports, Xaba is also a taxi boss and has been summoned to appear in SARS tax evasion charges against MaMkhize. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA's Ian Cameron apologises to Shauwn Mkhize over ‘wrong Vusi' claim after legal threat
DA MP Ian Cameron publicly apologised to Shauwn Mkhize after falsely linking her to Vusi Matlala in a firearms case, later admitting the ammunition belonged to Vusi Xaba. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Democratic Alliance parliamentary police committee chair Ian Cameron has publicly apologised to Durban business tycoon Shauwn Mkhize, admitting he mistakenly named businessman Vusi 'Cat' Matlala over guns found on her property, while they belonged to businessman Vusi Xaba. 'It was quite interesting… It was Monday during a press briefing when I said the wrong Vusimusi in terms of firearms illegally stored at one of her properties,' Cameron said Wednesday outside Parliament. He acknowledged the mistake, saying the ammunition belonged to businessman Vusi Xaba, not controversial figure Vusi 'Cat' Matlala, who has been linked to the criminal underworld and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. 'I just by mistake said the wrong Vusimusi - I said Vusi Musi Matlala instead of Vusi Musi Xaba - and that's that,' Cameron said. Even though he apologised for naming the wrong person, Cameron maintained that the firearms were stored illegally. 'The point is, there were severe irregularities - transgressions of both the CIRA regulations for private security and the Firearms Control Act,' he said. On Tuesday, an IOL News investigation revealed that the ammunition found at Mkhize's property belonged to Xaba. The news followed Cameron's Monday announcement in which he incorrectly stated the firearms were linked to Matlala. "I can confirm it was a slip-up with the name and that the guns did in fact belong to Vusi Xaba, not Matlala. However, while the ownership was legal, the storage of the arms was illegal," Cameron told IOL News. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mkhize's lawyer, Mpho Nefuri, rejected that claim and demanded a public retraction and apology within 48 hours. "My client's name was erroneously linked to criminal activity, with even SAPS mentioned to give the false claim credence,' Nefuri said. 'There's been no report from SAPS stating the arms were illegally owned or stored. My client doesn't even know Vusi Matlala.' In a letter of demand to Cameron, seen by IOL News, Nefuri said that Cameron's comments harmed Mkhize's dignity and reputation. 'As a leader, public representative, and member of Parliament, you are duty-bound to ensure your statements are accurate and do not unjustly harm others,' the letter reads. 'Your failure to verify the veracity of your claims constitutes a gross and negligent violation of our client's rights under South African law, including her constitutional rights under Sections 10 and 16.' The letter demanded a clear, unequivocal public retraction published or broadcast in Parliament and across the same media platforms. Cameron, however, told IOL News he would issue the retraction but stood by the assertion that the storage of the firearms was illegal. This follows explosive allegations made on Sunday by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu and Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of links to drug cartels, corruption, and bribery. Mkhwanazi also alleged connections between Mchunu and Matlala, who faces murder and corruption accusations. Earlier on Wednesday, Mchunu denied any links to Matlala, who is alleged to be an underworld criminal kingpin. The minister's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said Wednesday that Mchunu has never communicated with Matlala or received anything from him. 'In response to the recent allegations made by provincial commissioner Mkhwanazi, and while respecting the president's call for calm, the Minister of Police, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, feels it is important to clarify the following: "The minister has never met Mr. Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has he ever requested or received anything from him,' Kamogelo Mogotsi said. However, Mogotsi said Mchunu initiated a review of the SAPS tender awarded to Brian Mogotsi after suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced. 'It was the same tender which has since been terminated,' he added. 'Furthermore, while the minister knows and has met Mr. Brown Mogotsi, he is just a comrade and not an associate of the minister.' IOL Politics
