85 years for Kraaifontein man caught with drugs, guns hoard

A Kraaifontein man has been sentenced to 85 years after he was caught with a stockpile of guns, drugs and ammo.

A Kraaifontein man, who has no prior convictions, was sentenced to 85 years, on Thursday July 20, for sitting on a stockpile of guns, drugs and ammo.

However, Brendon Opperman will effectively serve 35 years as the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

Mr Opperman’s trial took place at the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court where he was convicted for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of thousands of mandrax tablets.

He had been arrested with three revolvers, three semi-automatic guns, 2 208 rounds of ammunition and 6 597 mandrax tablets.

His sentence comprises 15 years for the three counts of illegal possession of revolvers; 45 years for the three counts illegal possession of semi-automatic firearms; 10 years for the illegal possession of ammunition; and 15 years for the illegal possession of mandrax.

IOL reports that prosecutor Chandré Smit described Opperman as a “channel” or someone with no known gang ties who is used by gangsters to dodge police scrutiny.

Police were tipped off that Opperman had been stockpiling ammunition in a backyard premises in Dune Street, Kraaifontein.