Image: Frederick Jakobus Botha (62) pictured alongside unlicensed firearms and ammunition seized during a police operation on a farm in Carolina.
Frederick Jakobus Botha (62) appeared before the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 January 2026, on charges relating to the possession of ammunition and the possession of prohibited fully automatic firearms.
During his court appearance, Botha was granted bail of R20 000. The case was postponed to 22 April 2026 for further investigations.
Botha was arrested on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, following an intelligence-driven police operation at a farm in Carolina.
During the operation, police recovered more than 13 unlicensed firearms, including three self-manufactured weapons, four rifles, one shotgun and five handguns. Six pellet guns were also seized.
In addition, officers confiscated 1 080 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, along with 106 blank rounds. Botha failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for being in possession of the firearms and ammunition and was arrested at the scene.
He made his first court appearance on 14 January 2026, where the matter was postponed for a formal bail application.
The investigation remains ongoing.