Efforts to fight the spread of illegal firearms in the Manenberg area have once again resulted in two firearms being recovered and a 20-year-old suspect arrested on charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition in Manenberg on Friday 5 March 2021.
At 07:20 Manenberg SAPS members were deployed within the Manenberg policing precinct to combat gang violence. As they were busy with patrols in Thames Avenue they saw two males firing random gunshots in the road. The two suspects turned towards the oncoming marked SAPS patrol vehicle and fired several shots at the members who in turn shot back at the suspects who sought cover in a private residence in Thames Avenue.
On entering the house in Thames Avenue the members saw the suspect sitting in the lounge with the lady living at that address. The suspect said he was visiting the lady and had been sitting by her for the morning. The members searched the premises and found two firearms, and ammunition, hidden behind the bedroom doors.
The 20-year-old male was arrested and will be appearing in the Athlone Magistrate Court on charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The second suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.
In an unrelated matter, Mitchells Plain Crime Prevention Unit continues to make inroads against the gangs in Mitchells Plain. On Thursday at about 22:30 members were conducting patrols in Lindsay Street, Eastridge when they noticed a suspicious-looking male who held his right hand while he was running.
The members stopped and searched him and seized a black .38 revolver with no serial number and five rounds. The members arrested a 32-year-old male on charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is expected to appear in court once charged.
