Cape Town - A 44-year-old man has been sentenced by the Mitchell's Plain Regional Court to 10 years imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, Shaifek McDillon was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. McDillon received 10 years for possession of an unlicenced firearm and a further 12 months for the illegal possession of ammunition, but both counts were were treated as one for the purpose of sentencing.
The sentencing followed an incident on September 13, 2015, when members of the police's railway unit were performing patrol duties. According to Rwexana, a complainant informed them that he had been threatened with a firearm by the accused.
The victim also informed the police officers of the whereabouts of the suspect who was consequently apprehended at a house in Lemoenshoek Street, Tafelsig, where a Norinco Star pistol with a magazine and 7 9mm rounds were found in his possession.
Mitchell's Plain Cluster Commander, Major General Gregory Goss welcomed the sentencing, saying this sent out a strong message that the courts were serious about sentencing in these types of cases, as often one firearm might be used to commit several crimes.
According to police, the accused has other pending cases against him, with his next court appearance set to be on March 17 at the Mitchell's Plain Regional Court on a separate charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.