Western Cape police are going after those with illegally possessed firearms and ammunition

Efforts to continuously remove illegal firearms resulted in the successful arrest of suspects on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.

Members of the Nyanga Cluster Reaction Team were busy with focussed patrols in Manenberg, when they spotted an unknown man in Beatrix Lane. Upon searching the man, they confiscated a 9 mm pistol with ammunition. The 28-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In an unrelated incident, police members of the Anti-Gang Unit apprehended a suspect at a residence in End Street in Bishop Lavis at around 16:10. The search of the premises resulted in the recovery of two 9 mm pistols and ammunition. The 23-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition when he could not provide a valid license to be in possession of the firearms.

Meanwhile, police members of the Anti-Gang Unit deployed in the Strand policing precinct, mandated to curb the ongoing gang violence in the area, pursued information and searched premises in Wildegans street, in Strand. A bag containing two 9mm pistols and ammunition was found underneath a pile of washing. A 51-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Once charged the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone, Bishop Lavis, and Strand respectively.