The eradication of illicit firearms which is prevalent and threatens our most vulnerable communities in the Western Cape, remains a priority and every effort is made to remove them from the hands of criminals in order to safeguard our communities. These efforts were rewarded when members brought a number of criminals to book and seized a few firearms and ammunition through crime combatting operations and initiatives the members executed during the weekend.
Members attached to Nyanga SAPS acted on a tip-off about a suspect who allegedly had a firearm in his possession in Brown’s Farm. The information led members to a residence in Hobohobo Street in Brown’s Farm where they ensued with a search and discovered a revolver and ammunition. The members arrested a 22-year-old suspect for the illegal possession of the firearm. It was evident that the serial number of the firearm was tempered with.
Meanwhile, members attached to Operation Restore who had been deployed in the same area over the weekend to curb serious and violent crime through high density patrols, on Sunday, 18 February 2024 spotted a man acting suspicious in Buhlungu Street, Brown’s Farm. The members accosted the suspect and ensued with a search upon which they found a 9mm Browning pistol and seven 9mm rounds of ammunition in his possession. The adult male was arrested and the discovery was seized as evidence.
Both suspects will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ court once charged for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Attempts to quell the ongoing gang conflict within the Heideveld area of the Manenberg policing Precinct, saw the station commander, Brigadier Zama deployed his reservists to supplement members already deployed in the area during the weekend for high density patrols in their hot spot areas.
On Saturday 17 February 2024 at 20:40 members patrolling Acension Road Heideveld, noticed three suspicious males walking towards the Shell garage. They stopped and searched the three males and found a 9mm pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition in possession of one of them. The 36-year-old resident of Heideveld was arrested on charges related to the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ court once charged.
On Monday 19 February 2024 at about 02:00 Laingsburg SAPS members received a lookout from Beaufort West SAPS for a white truck with of which the occupants allegedly pointed a petrol attendant at a garage in Beaufort West with a firearm. Later the same day at about 04:30, the members spotted the truck and escorted it to the police station in Laingsburg where they searched the truck. The members found a black Ceonic P250 pistol and three blank rounds of ammunition. Two men, age 43 and 40, were arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and detained at Laingsburg SAPS. They will appear in Laingsburg magistrate court soon as they have been profiled and charged.
Western Cape police management commended all the members, reservist and volunteers for their support to safeguard communities from the scourge and the prevalence of firearms which threatens the safety of Western Cape communities.
Members arrest suspects for the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition https://t.co/aurqGthWOK#ArriveAlive #GunsOffTheStreets @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/RTuwJhKLqQ
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 20, 2024