James Jairos appeared before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 02 October 2023, on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance before the same court on Tuesday, 10 October 2023.
Jairos was arrested on Thursday, 28 September 2023, during an intelligence led operation at Schaumburg informal settlement in Hartbeespoortdam. A 9mm pistol with two magazines and ammunition was found in his possession and he was immediately arrested as he could not account thereof. In another separate incident reported in Jouberton on Monday, 02 October 2023, the illicit mining task team discovered three firearms in a backpack in a veld at Wolwerand. It is suspected that they were left there by illegal miners.The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, said the police will continue to work hard to remove illegal firearms that are used to commit serious and violent crimes.