Gun run trial hits a snag

Gun collector Alan Raves and his co-accused, alleged gun smuggler Irshaad Laher, were expected to get their trial date on Friday, but the case was hit by yet another delay.

Pre-trial proceedings have been postponed several times after Raves’ health took a turn for the worst.

On Friday the State and defence were not ready to proceed and were told by Judge Mushtak Parker to discuss and solve their “differences and matters of dispute” before the matter returns to court later this month at the Western Cape High Court.

The men, both of whom are out on bail, are facing charges of corruption, money laundering, theft of firearms and ammunition, as well as the possession of prohibited firearms and racketeering.

Previously, it was revealed Raves had spent time in hospital because he suffers from multi- organ dysfunction, was on a ventilator and underwent dialysis.

He had also been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Laher, a prominent Cape Town businessman, is accused of buying over 2 000 firearms meant for destruction from former police colonel, Christiaan Prinsloo.

He bought the arms at R100 a pop and then allegedly sold them at a marked up price of R4 500, raking in a profit of R9 million.

These weapons were allegedly sold to skollies on the Cape Flats.

Prinsloo, who is already serving an 18-year term, is expected to testify against Laher during the trial.

The guns Prinsloo sold have been linked to murders and attempted murders in Belhar, Hanover Park, Wesbank and Delft.

Raves was arrested in August 2015 after several guns were seized at his home.

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