Man Fined For Illegal Gun Possession

Lebogang Baingapi | Monday January 18, 2016 15:27

They managed to arrest him and he led them to Tsonyane where he indeed handed the said gun to the police. The instrument was taken for examination and the results proved positive that it was a gun and a live ammunition and he failed to produce a license. He pleaded guilty to the charge and told court that he did not have any legal defence to possess such.

In his mitigation, Khumosera asked for forgiveness and pleaded with court to be merciful as he has worked cooperatively with the police since the matter was reported.

“I am a breadwinner whom my family solely rely upon. At least forgive me or fine me cash”, he charged.

In sentencing the accused, Magistrate Odirile Makgatle said he was alive to the mitigation rendered by the accused. He added that the accused pleaded guilty to the charge thus saving court’s time. “The accused is youthful and the court still has hope in him to rehabilitate,” Mokgatle said.

He however noted that the weapon in question pose unknown threats and dangers to the accused’s life and people around him and therefore a deterrent sentence was called for. He added that the sentence should be fair to the state and blended with mercy. Mokgatle explained that the sentence should not make the public think that the court was too lenient or too harsh on the accused.

He noted that the law on the matter is too relaxed, outdated and needs to be reviewed. He ordered the accused to pay P250 for the first count of illegal possession of a firearm and another P250 for illegal possession of a live ammunition payable in seven days, and in default he will spend six months in prison.

Mokgatle also ordered that the exhibits be forfeited to the state.