Five suspects arrested for the possession of unlicensed firearms in Bellville and Kensington

In pursuit of a safer environment for the people of this province, members attached to the Bellville, Kensington and the Anti-Gang Unit arrested five suspects who were caught in possession of unlicensed firearms yesterday during three separate police interventions.

In Bellville, members of the local Crime Prevention Unit reacted on a complaint of an armed robbery where a 31 year old man was robbed of a substantial amount of cash in Voortrekker Road. The three Somalian suspects fled with the cash and following a search of the area, the suspects aged 24, 31 and 42 were cornered in Durban Road by police. They were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and 28 rounds of ammunition. All three suspects are scheduled to make a court appearance tomorrow in Bellville on charges of armed robbery and the possession of an unlicensed firearm.

In Kensington last night, members attached to the Anti-Gang Unit and Kensington police station followed up on leads received from their detective colleagues and arrested two suspects aged 33 and 36 at two separate addresses in the area. Both suspects, who are linked to local gangs, were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Two 9mm pistols were confiscated. The suspects are scheduled to face the charges against them tomorrow in the Cape Town Magistrates court.

The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen KE Jula commended his members for their efforts to disarm criminals and warned that frequent crime operations can be expected by those breaking the law.