Arms dealer and police instructor labelled as 'corrupt gun runners' to sue over 'false allegations'

A TACTICAL firearm instructor for SAPS and a Phoenix arms dealer claim they were unfairly treated and suffered reputational damage after being stopped at a roadblock.

The pair were allegedly publicly portrayed as "corrupt gun runners" despite having documentation for their firearms, and are now pursuing legal action against authorities.

Warrant Officer Mac Maharajh, 57, and his cousin Jerome Chetty, 45, the owner of Mt Edgecombe Arms and Ammo, and Syndicate Protection Services, were stopped at a road block at the Marriannhill Toll Plaza last Monday.

The road block was conducted by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), Durban metro police and SAPS as part of the Department of Transport’s Nenzani La Ezweni Operation.

Maharajh, a tactical firearm instructor for the Tshwane Police Training College in Pretoria, was on vacation in Durban and was driving Chetty’s black Ford Ranger F150 at the time.

Chetty, who works closely with police by lending support to them during police operations, said they were on their way to a gunsmith in Pietermaritzburg to drop off their personal firearms when they were stopped.

He said he was not prepared for the social media frenzy where he was labelled as a criminal and illegal gun runner - minutes after being stopped by the authorities.

“Mac and I had arranged to drop off our firearms at the gunsmith. I was also due to pick up some firearms which I had sent for repairs. The gunsmith reopened last Monday, and I had proof of making arrangements to go to Pietermaritzburg.

“When we got to the toll, we encountered the road block. At the first stop, the police checked the vehicle’s licence disc and number plate.

“At the second check, they asked for a driver's licence, and at the third check, they asked if we were carrying any firearms. We declared that we were carrying firearms and proceeded to show them and tried to get the licence. 

“Mac was asked to exit the vehicle and he was disarmed. He was carrying his State firearm, and two personal firearms. I was carrying one company firearm (rifle) and three personal firearms. 

“I told them that I was an arms dealer, and that I was transporting the firearms to the gunsmith. I produced all the necessary documentation. One of the licences would have expired on January 12. 

“I had proof that we had arranged to meet with the gunsmith on that day. I produced all the firearm licences and then they insisted that I produce a permit to transport firearms. The rifle was not being transported. It belongs to me. I had a company permit to carry the rifle, but the police insisted that I produce the security firearm card.

“I have permit cards which I keep, and I give a copy to the security personnel carrying the gun, as the cards can be easily lost or stolen.

“The police said they did not want a piece of paper. They requested that my staff bring the physical card. Within minutes, there were video cameras flashing in our faces. The KZN Department of Transport had issued a statement that 800 rounds of ammunition and weapons were seized during the Nenzani La Ezweni Operation.

“The media and social media was abuzz with news of an arms dealer and policeman transporting high calibre weapons and ammunition and that we were intercepted at the toll plaza during a crime intelligence driven operation. But this was a road block, and we were treated unfairly,” Chetty claimed.

He said as the incident unfolded, his phone rang continuously from people, including policemen who he worked closely with, asking what had happened. 

“The media portrayed me as a thug, and Mac as a corrupt cop linked to illegal firearms. We were called a criminal syndicate, gun runners, and a firearms cartel. My vehicle was not impounded and we were not arrested. I was put into a police vehicle, and the guns were put into a bag. Mac was asked to drive my vehicle, and there were police cars in front and behind us.

“We were taken to a room at the Pinetown police station through the back entrance. My staff brought the physical permit card for the rifle, and the police officers took the guns out of the bag. 

“They placed it on the table and took photographs of it. Then they asked us to take the guns and leave. There were no cases opened. My vehicle keys were given back to me, and there was not even an Occurrence Book (OB) entry made,” said Chetty.

“This incident has impacted both our lives, and has branded us as criminals. Mac will have to go back to work as a tactical firearm trainer with this stigma hanging over his head. How will his students and colleagues respect him and learn from him when he is branded as a criminal linked to illegal firearms due to this.

“My clients are hesitant and apprehensive to renew their contracts with me, as they are afraid of dealing with a criminal. I worked hard to build a good reputation over the past 11 years, and it has all been taken away with this ordeal.  Clients who bought firearms from me are questioning if the firearms were legally sold to them.  If you google my name, all you will see are the reports of me being a criminal,” he added.

“I will have no option but to sue if this matter is not resolved. This has caused me reputational damage and harm to my businesses. Mac will pursue a civil claim as his reputation as a police officer for 35 years has been tarnished,” he added.

Chetty said they wanted a public apology and acknowledgement by the law enforcement authorities that the allegations were unfounded. 

“If this fails, then we will pursue legal action. They need to remedy this. My house is in order. I think that this was a publicity stunt and we were the jackpots for the day,” he said.

In a statement shortly after the incident, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said they intercepted an arms dealer and a policeman driving a “car full of weapons and 800 rounds of ammunition.”

“The two individuals failed to produce valid documents that affirm adherence to the Firearms Control Act (FCA). A vehicle, which was used by the two individuals, has been impounded, as it was illegally fitted with security lights,” the statement read.

An updated statement from the department read: “For the record we wish to state that Chetty produced an expired permit for transporting a rifle. This was in contravention of the Firearms Control Act. 

“The vehicle which he used, together with the policeman, was suspended as it was illegally fitted with security lights. Subsequently, as the owner of the vehicle, he was charged for contravening the National Road Traffic Act.”

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