Stuart Scharnick, 40, has been granted R5,000 bail after appearing in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Firearms Control Act.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the State opposed Scharnick’s bail application but the court found that he had satisfied the interests of justice.
The court further determined that potential risks could be managed through strict bail conditions.
According to NPA Gauteng communications officer Magaboke Mohlatlole, Scharnick must notify the investigating officer if he relocates from Gauteng or travels outside South Africa.
His passport has also been handed over to the investigating officer to assist in monitoring his movements.
The State had asked the court to order Scharnick to report to the Randburg Police Station once a week, but the application was not granted after the court found that he was not a flight risk.
The charges follow a South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation into alleged non-compliance with firearm registration and storage requirements under the Firearms Control Act.
Police officials allegedly went to Scharnick’s home in Douglasdale to inspect his firearms but could not find him at the address.
They allegedly later established that Scharnick had moved without notifying the Central Firearms Registry of his change of address, as required by law.
Police then went to his new residence, which is owned by his partner.
During the inspection, officers allegedly discovered that one of Scharnick’s firearms had not been stored in a prescribed safe.
The matter was postponed to 11 November 2026 for further investigation.
Mohlatlole said the granting of bail did not amount to a finding of guilt or innocence.
“The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the NPA said.
The State will continue prosecuting the matter in accordance with the law and the evidence before the court.
