Nelspruit policeman arrested over firearm trafficking

21 August 2013 - 11:05 By Sapa
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

A police captain from Nelspruit was arrested and charged with illegal trafficking in firearms, according to a report on Wednesday.

Additional charges of corruption and theft were also laid against Captain Godfrey Lubisi, 57, who was arrested at work, said Beeld.

Police said the arrest followed a year-long investigation, after rumours that weapons were being sold from the Nelspruit police station for as little as R2 000.

Lubisi allegedly sold a .22 rifle, a collector's item dating back to 1925, to a member of the public in January.

Lubisi reportedly took the man to the store where firearms submitted by members of the public for later destruction were kept.

He gave Lubisi over R2 000, as he had apparently agreed to also supply a firearm licence.

The investigation was delayed because nobody wanted to make a statement, then two weeks ago, new information came to light.

It emerged that Lubisi had also illegally sold a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver for R2 000.

On Tuesday, police also found a large number of firearm licences that had to be collected from the police station, allegedly under the seat of Lubisi's car.

Police spokesman Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said police would oppose bail.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now