A Cape Town VIP protection company director who contravened the Firearm Controls Act has avoided jail after entering into a plea and sentencing agreement with the state.

The Bellville regional court handed Mathyus Louis Coetzee, of VIP 24 Protection, a nine-year jail term on Thursday. 

Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said information about an illegally obtained firearm resulted in the investigation, which dates back to 2012.

“The matter [was] referred to the Hawks for further probing and a warrant of arrest was issued against Coetzee.

“During a search and seizure at his place of residence, two cellphones, documentation, four firearm magazines, ammunition and a .38 revolver were confiscated,” she said.

“This culminated in Coetzee handing himself over to the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team in Bellville on December 7 2012. After his arrest, more firearms were confiscated, including five semi-automatic pistols.”

This week's sentence was wholly suspended for five years.

“Furthermore, [Coetzee] was declared unfit to possess a firearm. All the firearms confiscated will be forfeited to the state,” Hani said.

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