An 18-year-old has made a brief appearance in the Kimberley Magistrates Court on Wednesday (31/7) on charges of an illegal possession of a firearm.

The learner from Vuyolwethu Secondary School was arrested on Monday (29/7) when a search was conducted by the principal and a firearm was found on him.

A fellow learner reported that the Grade 12 learner had a weapon on him. It was discovered that the gun was given to this learner by a learner from St Boniface.

Search was executed by school management

“The Kagisho police are investigating a case of illegal possession of a firearm after an 18-year-old learner was arrested at a local school,” said Northern Cape police spokesperson Timothy Sam.

“A search was executed by school management and a firearm was found in his possession, for now only the learner from Vuyolwethu has been arrested. The gun found on the learner was not loaded, and there was no magazine in the gun,” he said.

DFA reports the Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, paid a visit to the school on Tuesday (30/7). Vosloo noted that school disciplinary processes will transpire but the matter is now in the hands of law enforcement.

‘It is generally forbidden to possess a firearm’

“The department, through the district and the provincial office, is engaging with both schools and the learners concerned to establish the facts around everything.

“Our Employee Support Services is currently at the school to provide counselling to educators and learners who have been directly affected by this traumatic experience.”  

It is generally forbidden to possess a firearm without the required license, permit, or authorisation under the Firearm Criminal Act. In addition, the FCA stipulates this offense carries a maximum 15-year jail sentence.

The illegal possession of a firearm is any person who possesses a firearm without a license, permit, or authorisation issued in terms of this act.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg