A 57-year-old man who operated a shelter for children on the Hartbeespoort Dam shore was arrested on Monday on charges of illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as unlawful possession of explosives. Eleven children were rescued and taken to a place of safety.

Mike Cronje.

The resort was a crime schene on Monday.

Mike Cronje, owner of In His Honor Outreach Foundation at the Schoemansville Resort on the waterfront, briefly appeared in Brits Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 1 April on eight charges, including a charge of failing to lock away a firearm, three charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and four charges of possession of unlicensed ammunition.
“The suspect was arrested in Schoemansville, Hartbeespoort following a multi-disciplinary operation conducted by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL), Homeland Security, SAPS’ National Serious Electronic Crimes Investigation (SECI) of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS), Local Criminal Records Centre (LCRC), FCS North West, K9 Hartbeespoort, Explosives unit, National Department of Social Development (DSD) and Investigative Psychology Section (IPS),” national Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said.
Over 20 vehicles from various law enforcement agencies and government departments entered the resort around 05:00 on Monday. Investigations on the premises lasted until late Monday afternoon.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation received information about an unregistered non-profit organisation operating in Schoemansville. Allegedly the shelter was registered in 2012 and deregistered by the DSD after the entity had not complied with regulations and requirements as set out by the department The DSD also indicated that the same shelter was not registered as a Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) and therefore was in contravention of the Children’s Act and regulations of a registered CYCC,” she said.
“This prompted law enforcement to apply for a search and seizure warrant in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) and Cyber Crimes Act which was granted, resulting in the premises being visited. Upon the arrival of the law enforcement team, eleven children aged between 13 and 17 were found, rescued and taken to the district surgeon for medical assessment. They were then handed over to the DSD.”
Electronic equipment, computers, three unlicensed rifles, ammunition and explosives were seized for further investigation.
The case was postponed to Tuesday, 8 April, for a formal bail application. Cronje remains in custody.