ODENDAALSRUS – An undocumented foreign national was arrested after police allegedly found him in possession of an unlicensed firearm during the closure of an illegal shebeen in Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus, on Sunday morning.
According to police, members of the Odendaalsrus Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) and Community Service Centre (CSC) were conducting routine patrols when they discovered a liquor outlet operating illegally in the K2 section of Kutlwanong at about 05:30 on 12 July.
While officers were shutting down the illegal shebeen, they noticed a 22-year-old man behaving suspiciously inside the premises. A search was conducted, during which police allegedly found a silver handgun concealed beneath his jacket.
The firearm, which police said had its serial number filed off, was confiscated along with six rounds of live ammunition.
The suspect was arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm. Police also confirmed that he will face an additional charge under the Immigration Act after he was found to be undocumented.
He is expected to appear in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court soon.
The owner of the illegal shebeen was issued with a fine, while liquor found on the premises was confiscated by police as part of the operation.
