Students with Assault Rifle: NPA Strikes Case Off Roll Pending Investigation
- The two students who were arrested for being in possession of an illegal assault rifle should be released soon
- The students' case has reportedly been struck off the roll and is now pending an investigation, says the NPA
- The pair were arrested on Thursday after a crime intelligence report revealed that an assault rifle was operational
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The case against the two students accused of having an illegal high-calibre assault rifle in their possession has not yet been placed on the court roll. Further investigations into the matter need to happen beforehand.
The duo was expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Friday, 19 March. NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane stated that the NPA had given the South African Police Service specific instructions for the investigations.
Mjonondwane explained that once a full investigation is completed the docket will be put on the roll for the NPA to decide on whether or not the duo will be prosecuted.
Source: Facebook
According to News24, the students were arrested at a gathering in Braamfontein, Johannesburg and taken into custody. However, speaking to the media Mjonondwane revealed that once a docket has been removed from the court roll the accused must be released.
IOL reported that Gauteng police’s Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said they could not disclose the institution the students attend adding that they had received a tip-off about the illegal assault rifle being in the students' possession.
Previously, Briefly.co.za reported on the students who were arrested. Reports say that a crime intelligence report revealed that a dangerous weapon was operational.
Police officers followed the report to a meeting where the assault rifle was seen. The two students, aged 21 and 24, hopped into a car and officers followed them. The vehicle was then stopped and the rifle was found.
Officers found a Galil, an automatic Israeli-made rifle, with a loaded magazine. The arrests were made immediately after the rifle was found.
Briefly.co.za has been reporting on the student protests which resulted in the death of an innocent bystander, Mthokozisi Ntumba. Reports say that Ntumba had just walked out of a doctor's office when he was allegedly shot by a rubber bullet.
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Source: Briefly News
