Swift and decisive action were taken by members of Maitland Flying Squad who responded to a shooting incident, resulting in the apprehension of three foreign nationals on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at around 13:00.
The members received information about a shooting incident at Maitland cemetery in Kensington upon which they swiftly responded to the mentioned address in pursuit of the gun shots. They blocked the exit roads and tactically approached the graveyard where about 40 to 50 persons were seen at a grave site, some performing a gun salute.
Three suspects aged 32, 36 and 50, were arrested and face charges relating to the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as the possession of a prohibited firearm. The members also seized a 7.65 mm pistol with five rounds, a 9mm CZ firearm without serial number and a 9mm Norinco with one round of ammunition. The members also recovered four firearms, a .38 special Taurus, Glock 17, a Norinco 7.65, a CZ 7.65 and an extended magazine with 23 rounds found abandoned near the grave. The firearms will undergo ballistic testing to ascertain whether they were used in other criminal activities.
The three suspects are due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May 2025 on the mentioned charges.
Western Cape acting provincial commissioner, Maj. Gen. Bongani Maqhashalala issued a stern warning, condemning the reckless and illegal actions that take place at funerals. He says that such actions will not be tolerated as these actions which include the brandishing of firearms and the firing of shots into the air, either at the grave site or at the house of a deceased, are regarded as a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of those others. It must be reiterated that these actions are not a celebration but a danger to society. “The rule of law will prevail and those who break it will face the consequences”, Maj Gen Maqhashalala concluded.
