Businessman Stuart Scharnick, who shot to infamy after allegedly intimidating a Sowetan journalist at the Madlanga Commission, has been remanded in custody following his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Firearms Control Act.
Scharnick appeared in court on Monday, with the matter postponed to September 1 for a formal bail application.
NPA Gauteng communications officer Magaboke Mohlatlole said the charges stem from a South African Police Service investigation into compliance with firearm storage and registration requirements.
Mohlatlole said police officials had gone to Scharnick’s residential address in Douglasdale to conduct an inspection of his firearms.
“Upon arriving at the address, they were unable to locate him and subsequently discovered that he had relocated to another residence without notifying the Central Firearms Registry of his change of address, as required by law,” said Mohlatlole.
He said police then proceeded to Scharnick’s new residence, which belongs to his partner.
“During the inspection, officers allegedly found that one of his firearms was not stored in a prescribed safe, contrary to the requirements of the Firearms Control Act,” Mohlatlole said.
The matter was postponed to September 1 for a formal bail application, and Scharnick remains in custody pending his next court appearance.
Mohlatlole said the NPA remained committed to ensuring that matters involving alleged firearms-related offences were prosecuted fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the law.
“Compliance with firearm control legislation is essential to promoting public safety and accountability among firearm owners,” he said.
