A volatile situation awaited two police officers from Brackenfell Police Station at the Engen filling station on Old Paarl Road on Saturday night, when a man under the influence was handling a firearm in the forecourt.
He was aggressive and refused to cooperate with officers.
On searching his vehicle officers discovered a 9 mm Parabellum pistol, which had an expired licence, loaded with 13 rounds, an unlicensed .38 special revolver loaded with five rounds, believed to have belonged to the suspect’s deceased father and three packets of compressed dagga.
The suspect was arrested without injury and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, Illegal possession of ammunition, handling a firearm while under the influence of a substance and refusal to provide a firearm licence, in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.
“The motive for the suspect’s actions in such a busy public space remains unclear,” said Brackenfell police station commander Col Jacobus Marthinus, “although the situation could have had serious consequences for innocent bystanders. The incident highlighted strong cooperation between local law enforcement and the private security company SJC, which assisted in the operation.”
