Lusikisiki Regional Court Imposes 20-Year Combined Sentence for Illegal Firearm and Ammunition Possession

In a decisive ruling that underscores the serious stance of South African courts against illegal firearms, the Lusikisiki Regional Court has handed down a significant collective sentence to Ntsindiso Lovers Mjikwa, aged 43, for his involvement in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The court's decision, delivered on the 23rd of October 2024, culminates from events tracing back to a Cash-In-Transit (CIT) heist that took place at Bethel Location, Maloti in November 2020.

Mjikwa was apprehended almost five months after the CIT heist, on the 7th of April 2021, by the dedicated CIT task team. His capture in Lusikisiki brought to light his possession of a 9mm Norinco pistol and associated ammunition without the required licenses. Following his initial court appearance on the subsequent day, Mjikwa remained in custody awaiting further judicial proceedings, which included the broader investigation into the Maloti CIT incident.

However, on the 22nd of April 2021, there was a turn of events; the case was struck off the court roll, pending a ballistic report. This unexpected circumstance led to Mjikwa's release. Persistence in the investigation over the following six months eventually led to Mjikwa's re-arrest. This time, the authorities found him with an AK47 and a supply of ammunition.

After an extended judicial process, Mjikwa was acquitted for the possession of the AK47. Nevertheless, the court found him guilty of possession of the Norinco pistol and ammunition. The sentencing reflected the gravity of the offenses; Mjikwa was handed a fifteen-year sentence for the firearm and an additional five years for the ammunition. Due to the concurrent running of these sentences, Mjikwa will serve a total of fifteen years behind bars.

Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, the Provincial Head, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, seeing it as a positive sign for the community's safety and the legal pursuit against criminal activities involving unlicensed firearms. The sentencing is also seen in the context of continued efforts to resolve the Maloti CIT heist case, which remains active in the court system.

The Eastern Cape judiciary’s decision sends a strong message about the legal consequences of illegal firearm possession, aiming to deter such crimes in the future and uphold public safety.