Durban — The Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal have seized a firearm belonging to a deceased person that has been produced several times.
On Monday, Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg Serious Organised Crime Investigation received information about a group of youngsters who were intimidating a community in Pietermaritzburg, said Hawks KZN spokesperson Warrant Officer Sibu Ncane.
He also said it is alleged the youngsters had produced a firearm on many occasions.
Ncane said Hawks members and private security company, Magma Security conducted an intelligence-driven operation and made their way to the place where the firearm was allegedly being kept.
“During the search, a firearm pistol valued at approximately R10 000 was recovered and seized by police for further investigation. The owner of the homestead said a firearm belonged to her late husband. It was circulated and discovered that it belonged to the deceased,” Ncane said.
“The seized firearm will be subjected to a ballistic test to ascertain if it was not used in the commission of any crime in the country.”
Last year, KZN police reminded the public to surrender firearms belonging to deceased family members or dispose of them legally.
Holders of licensed firearms should store their weapons according to the law and ensure that no other person has access to such firearms.
The next of kin of deceased persons who owned firearms are also urged to timeously inform the police that the owner has died and the police will outline the procedure on how to retain the firearm or dispose of it legally.
Police said a person who inherited a firearm could donate the firearm by nominating or offering it to a family member or any person, provided that such a person is in compliance with the law and possesses a licence to own such a firearm.
A deceased person’s firearms could also be handed over or sold to a registered firearm dealer or an individual or surrendered to the SAPS for destruction. Alternatively, the deceased’s heirs could apply to the SAPS to have the weapon deactivated.
The reminder came after a 14-year-old boy was shot dead by his 15-year-old brother at Stanger Manor in KwaDukuza.
Three boys, aged 11, 14 and 15, were reportedly in the house when the eldest brother found a firearm. The gun reportedly went off while they were playing with it, killing the 14-year-old.
The firearm allegedly belonged to a deceased family member.
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