Stuart Scharnick Granted R5,000 Bail in Gauteng Firearms Case, Court Attaches Strict Conditions
- Stuart Scharnick, an associate of suspended Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, appeared before the Randburg Magistrate's Court
- The state opposed bail for Scharnick, who faces three charges for alleged contravention of the Firearms Control Act in Gauteng
- The businessman also faces charges in KwaZulu-Natal and previously appeared before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — Stuart Scharnick has been granted R5,000 bail by the Randburg Magistrate's Court.
The businessman, who is a known associate of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, appeared before the court on 9 September 2026.
Despite the State opposing bail, the court ruled that strict bail conditions could adequately address any risks posed by Scharnick's release. Those conditions include surrendering his passport and notifying police should he travel outside Gauteng or leave South Africa.
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Scharnick faces several firearms charges
Scharnick was formally charged on 24 August 2026 before the Randburg Magistrate's Court on three counts under the Firearms Control Act: failing to notify the Central Firearm Registrar of a change of residential address, storing a firearm in a non-compliant safe, and unlawfully allowing another person access to a firearm.
The charges followed his arrest on 20 August 2026 on the sidelines of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi laid a case of intimidation against him. Moloi alleged that Scharnick confronted and threatened him for photographing and recording his interactions with suspended Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams.
After that arrest, the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team seized several of Scharnick's firearms and opened a separate investigation into the matter.
Scharnick also made a brief appearance at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court on 26 August 2026, where he faces further charges. His lawyer explained that even though he was granted bail, he is not free yet.
Scharnick's criminal records deleted from system
Briefly News reported that the KwaZulu-Natal Police provided more details about the criminal cases against Scharnick.
Major General Anthony Gopaul noted how Scharnick's criminal records were deleted from the police system's front end.
The records were still retrievable from the system’s back end, which allowed investigators to uncover the incident.
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Source: Briefly News
