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

BRANDED CRIMINALS

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

A TACTICAL firearm instructor for the 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 Mariannhill Toll Plaza last Monday.

The roadblock was conducted by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), Durban metro police and the 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 the police by lending support to them during operations, said they were on their way toa 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 roadblock. At the first stop, the police checked the vehicle’s licence disc and number plate.