Two men have been sentenced by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court following their conviction on charges relating to the illegal possession and dealing of ammunition.
Siyabulela Petrus Makaleni (41) and Tebello Patric Pitso (34) appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday 30 March, where both entered guilty pleas to charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and dealing in ammunition.
Two suspects were allegedly selling pistol and rifle ammunition in Virginia
The case originated from intelligence received in September 2019 by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Welkom, which indicated that two suspects were allegedly selling pistol and rifle ammunition in Virginia.
The prosecution faced delays when the case was provisionally withdrawn pending the completion of forensic evidence analysis.
The matter was later reinstated, with warrants of arrest issued for the accused. Makaleni received a sentence of either a R10 000 fine or five years’ imprisonment, whilst Pitso was given a five-year sentence suspended for five years.
Brigadier Ketlamoreng Mafoyane, acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Free State, praised the investigating officer’s diligent work, which ultimately secured the successful convictions.
