KWAZULU-NATAL – On 28 November 2022, the Scottburgh Regional Court sentenced Mondli Msomi (39) to eight years direct imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and two years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition.
In March 2019, police received an information about the suspect who was transporting an illegal firearm from Port Shepstone to Durban. A disruptive operation was swiftly conducted and he was intercepted along the N2 highway near Hibberdene. The vehicle was searched and an AK 47 rifle with four rounds of ammunition was found.
Msomi was placed under arrest and charged accordingly. He was granted bail and during the finalisation of his trial in September last year, Msomi decided to evade trial after he was found guilty. A warrant of arrest was issued and he was circulated as the wanted suspect.
Earlier this month, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Port Shepstone received information that Msomi was awaiting trial in a separate matter at New Prison Correctional Services in Pietermaritzburg. He was requisitioned and a warrant of arrest was executed. He was brought back to Scottburgh Regional Court hence he was sentenced yesterday, 28 November 2022. His sentence will run concurrently.