A 79-year-old man has been arrested by Western Cape police for alleged murder and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition after reporting an attempted break-in at his home in Hazendal near Cape Town.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut said the man had reported an attempted break-in at his home to the Athlone police at around 10am on Friday. He claimed that he had discharged two rounds from a firearm at the alleged perpetrator whom he said had managed to flee the scene.
Police had taken a formal statement from him and confiscated the firearm in question. However‚ later that day someone had alerted police that there was a body concealed on the complainant’s property.
Police returned to his home and‚ during a search of the premises‚ discovered the body of a 39-year-old man in the backyard‚ as well as 25 firearms of various makes and calibres‚ including pistols‚ rifles and revolvers‚ and also 700 rounds of ammunition.
“Only eight of the firearms were licensed in his name. The suspect (79) was arrested on a charge of murder and the possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and detained until his court appearance tomorrow (Monday) in Athlone‚” Lt Col Traut said.
“The suspect was also unable to account for the loss of two of his own firearms and further charges of defeating the ends of justice and the loss of firearms are under investigation against him‚” he added.
79-year-old man arrested for murder and possession of illegal firearms
A 79-year-old man has been arrested by Western Cape police for alleged murder and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition after reporting an attempted break-in at his home in Hazendal near Cape Town.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut said the man had reported an attempted break-in at his home to the Athlone police at around 10am on Friday. He claimed that he had discharged two rounds from a firearm at the alleged perpetrator whom he said had managed to flee the scene.
Police had taken a formal statement from him and confiscated the firearm in question. However‚ later that day someone had alerted police that there was a body concealed on the complainant’s property.
Police returned to his home and‚ during a search of the premises‚ discovered the body of a 39-year-old man in the backyard‚ as well as 25 firearms of various makes and calibres‚ including pistols‚ rifles and revolvers‚ and also 700 rounds of ammunition.
“Only eight of the firearms were licensed in his name. The suspect (79) was arrested on a charge of murder and the possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and detained until his court appearance tomorrow (Monday) in Athlone‚” Lt Col Traut said.
“The suspect was also unable to account for the loss of two of his own firearms and further charges of defeating the ends of justice and the loss of firearms are under investigation against him‚” he added.
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