Municipality employee released on warning after firearm arrest in Ezibeleni

A 45-year-old man, Malibongwe Xelisilo, has been arrested in Ezibeleni, Eastern Cape, for brandishing a pistol at spaza shop employees. The municipal employee was released on warning after being charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Police received information that Xelisilo threatened to shoot spaza employees who questioned him for visiting the shop while intoxicated.

The suspect forcefully tried to close the shop, but customers intervened. He allegedly went to his car to retrieve his firearm, but did not fire it, and then fled the scene. The shop owner reported the incident, allowing police to identify and stop Xelisilo's vehicle. During the search, officers found a firearm with a filed-off serial number and six rounds of ammunition.

Xelisilo appeared in court on September 2, was released on warning, and the case was postponed to October 23 for further investigation. District Commissioner Major-General Rudolph Adolph commended the Ilinge Police officers for their prompt response and strongly condemned the municipal official's alleged unprofessional and criminal behavior.