DURBAN - A 71-year-old man has been remanded in custody after allegedly manufacturing and selling illegal firearms to foreign nationals in Durban.
Mbangiseni Ndlovu was arrested during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the South African Police Service's eThekwini District Tracing Team in the Katutura informal settlement in Cato Manor on Tuesday night.
He made a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, where he was remanded in custody as investigations continue.
Ndlovu is expected to apply for bail next week.
Amanda Funani, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, said officers acted on information that Ndlovu was manufacturing and dealing in unlicensed firearms from his home.
During the operation, police recovered three 9mm firearms, two homemade guns, and equipment allegedly used to manufacture the illegal weapons.
According to KZN police, the firearms were allegedly being sold to foreign nationals.
Investigators believe Ndlovu sold the weapons for about R2,000 each. Information further suggests that although he had been linked to the illegal firearms trade for some time, he had specifically targeted non-South African buyers since late June.
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The allegations come against the backdrop of heightened tensions over immigration, with 30 June marking the unofficial deadline that some protest groups had imposed on foreign nationals to leave the country.
eNCA Specialist Correspondent Yusuf Abramjee said the arrest highlights the ongoing challenge posed by illegal firearms in South Africa.
He noted that thousands of illegal guns remain in circulation, fuelling violent crimes such as murder, robbery, extortion and kidnapping.
Abramjee said it was concerning that illegally manufactured firearms are allegedly being sold to foreign nationals, who can be difficult to trace if they leave the country, making it harder for police to secure justice.
- Watch video for full report by Dasen Thathiah.