Three suspects due to appear in court on charges of possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition

Police members in the Western Cape, deployed in the notorious gang ridden areas, detained three suspects in isolated incidents when they were found in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Police members attached to Operation Shanela, deployed in Samora Machel policing precinct, to quell the ongoing gang violence in the area, conducted high-density patrols in Heinz Park on Sunday 24 March 2024. They responded to a complaint of a shooting incident in progress and saw a man who fitted the description. They gave chase and accosted the man in Daisy Street, searched and confiscated a two firearms with ammunition. They detained the 18-year-old man on a charge of possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

In an unrelated intervention, police members were busy with duties in Mfuleni when they have received information of a person in possession of a firearm on Sunday 24 March 2024. When the patrol vehicle entered Parliament Street, they saw a man who suddenly changed direction. The police members gave chase and apprehended the man, searched him and confiscated a firearm with ammunition. They arrested an adult man on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Meanwhile police members of Western Cape Public Order Police, deployed in Khayelitsha policing precinct, conducted stop and search operations on Monday 25 March 2024. They entered a residence in Starlight Walk, searched the occupants and found a man in possession of a firearm without a valid licence to be in possession of the firearm. They detained the 18-year-old man on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

The suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone, Blue Downs and Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Courts on the mentioned charges.