A 39-year-old construction worker had three serious charges possession of a firearm, ammunition, and cannabis — dismissed against him on Monday at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, after the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of possession.
Christopher Durjan of Better Hope appeared before Magistrate Abigale Gibbs, represented by attorney Bernard DaSilva, whose earlier submission regarding a caution statement was upheld by the court a ruling that proved pivotal to the outcome of the case.
Police had alleged that ranks searched Durjan’s home and discovered a Taurus 9mm pistol with a magazine containing five matching rounds of ammunition, concealed in a black plastic wrap beneath the house. A subsequent search of the yard reportedly led to the unearthing of 2,238 grams of cannabis buried in the ground.
Durjan had been charged with possession of the firearm, ammunition, and cannabis, and was previously remanded to prison after pleading not guilty at his initial court appearance.
Following Monday’s ruling, all three charges were dismissed.
