An 18-year-old South African man was arrested in the Gwanda area in Zimbabwe for allegedly illegally possessing 25 rounds of live ammunition, believed to have been taken into that country through the Beitbridge border post.

The suspect, Ishmael Nxumalo, was arrested after police got a tip-off from local community members. He was then found hiding under the debris of a local burnt down shop. This was, however, after the accused had got wind that the police were looking for him.

Nxumalo appeared before a local magistrate, Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba, on Monday, facing charges of contravening a section of the Firearms Act (illegal possession of ammunition). The case was postponed to September 10, and no bail was granted to Nxumalo.

The court was told that, on 11 August in the morning, police received a tip-off that the accused was found in possession of 25 rounds of live ammunition, suspected to have been smuggled from South Africa through the Beitbridge border post. They then launched a manhunt for the suspect and he was subsequently found hiding under some rubble in a burnt-down shop.

Nxumalo was carrying a bag and on searching it, police recovered a box containing 25 bullets and his South African passport. He failed to produce a firearms licence and a declaration form, leading to his arrest.