Cape Town - A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after entering a plea agreement with the State for charges relating to him wanting to buy an AK-47 assault rifle and hand grenades.
Moegsien Haywood was sentenced in the Khayelitsha Priority Court on Monday for charges of possession of prohibited firearm, money laundering and gang-related offences after entering into a plea agreement with the State.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said: “The excellent investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime investigation team ensured that Haywood serves an effective 14 years’ direct imprisonment. On 15 May 2019, information was received from a source that Haywood was looking to buy an AK-47 assault rifle and hand grenades.
“As a result of this information, an operation was initiated where a transaction was conducted between the suspect and the police. During the operation, four suspects were arrested and five 9mm semi-automatic pistols were recovered from the suspects.
“Further, two vehicles valued at R180 000 as well as cash used for the transaction to the amount of R17 000 were recovered,” said Hani.
Haywood was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for each of the five counts of illegal possession of prohibited firearm, and nine years’ imprisonment for money laundering, of which five years on each count were suspended for five years.
“The preservation and confiscation order was executed where all the above-mentioned seized items were forfeited to the State. The court ordered that all counts are to run concurrently where the accused will serve an effective 14 years’ direct imprisonment. The case against the three accused was remanded to 19 January 2023 for further trial and they are out on warning,” said Hani.
The provincial head of the Western Cape, Major-General Mathipa Makgato, commended the investigation team and the National Prosecuting Authority for securing a sentence.
Cape Times