Pirates player arrested for illegal firearm

Orlando Pirates soccer player Benson Mhlongo and five others appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, police said.

The firearm, which was loaded with 13 bullets, was allegedly found hidden in the boot of a white BMW belonging to the 30-year-old soccer star, Captain Leonard Hlathi said.

Mhlongo and his companions were arrested after their vehicle was pulled over for a stop and search police operation on Wednesday morning.

The others arrested were Siyabonga Mhlongo (33) Thokozani Mbatha (24) Mlungisi Timothy Nkosi (22) Precious Busisiwe Bunde (20) and Millicent Ngobese (22).

It was established in court that Siyabonga Mhlongo had a pending murder case against him, and he was granted R2 000 bail.

The others were released on R1 000 bail each and were expected to return to court on November 3. - Reuters