Enhanced police visibility in and around our towns through the strategic deployment of our members, again yielded excellent results with the arrest of various suspects found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition which pose a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of our law-abiding citizens.
The vigilance of members attached to the Operation Restore, paid off when they arrested a suspect after they found a homemade firearm and ammunition in his possession in Kraaifontein on Saturday, 25 March 2023 at about 23:00. These members were on patrol in Boesak Street, Wallacdene busy closing a shebeen when they spotted the suspect placing an object behind a cupboard. Upon further investigation, members found that the object was indeed a home-made firearm with a .38-round in the chamber.
The suspect was arrested immediately and the firearm and ammunition were seized as exhibits. The suspect face charges of Possession of prohibit firearm and ammunition.
Simultaneously, in an unrelated incident yesterday, Saturday 25 March 2023 around 23:00, members of Lingelethu West SAPS were patrolling the hotspot areas known for high crime volumes when they drove passed a white Toyota Quantum that was parked at the main gate of Joe Slovo High School, situated at Kusasa Road. There was only one occupant in the vehicle.
The members decided to investigate the matter, made a U-turn further up the road and observed how two more occupants boarded the Quantum. During their tactical approach, members noticed how the driver leaned over and hid something. Upon further investigation and a search of the vehicle, members discovered a Norinco Pistol, 9mm with serial numbers still intact containing live ammunition hidden where the driver had placed it.
The driver was subsequently arrested and charged for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunitions as he could not present or produce a firearm licence or permit, nor a reasonable explanation for being in possession of the firearm. He is scheduled to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ court, once charged.
Members attached to our Provincial Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) operationalised information they received about illegal firearms which led them to an address in Liberty Street in Strand on 25 March 2023 at approximately 05:00. The members accosted the suspect at the specific address and ensued with a search of the premises. The information was proven to be correct when they started to lift the pavements next to the suspect’s room where they found a plastic container with the three firearms concealed inside, underground.
Members confiscated the following firearms and ammunition and arrested the suspect for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition;
1) One black Austra Glock 30 pistol with serial number filed off
2) One silver CZ 9mm pistol with serial number filed off
3) One silver 9mm short pistol with serial number filed off
4)15 live .45 rounds
5) Four magazines
The suspect is scheduled to appear in the local magistrates’ court, once charged.
In addition to above, members attached to Bishop Lavis Vispol managed to recover 3 firearms with ammunition for the last 24-hour period by targeting their known hot spot areas in Bonteheuwel and made three (3) arrests for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
All three suspects apprehended are known gang members of which 2 aged 39 and 40 are affiliated to the Americans and one (40) to the Dixie boys.
The 40-year-old Dixie Boys gang member (suspect) was found in possession of a 9mm Para pistol with 4 rounds of ammunition whilst the two Americans were found in possession of a 9mm Taurus and a CZ-9mm, respectively. Both had two magazines and 20 rounds of ammunition each in their possession. These suspects will appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ court, once charged.
The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile has lauded the members involved for their persistence to rid our communities of the proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition which threatens the livelihood of our vulnerable communities in the Metropole. “Efforts will persist in order to enhance the safety of all inhabitants of this province”, he concluded.
Western Cape communities rid of illegal firearms and ammunition https://t.co/OIaSok2oAT#ArriveAlive #Firearms #Ammunition @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/csW9N0FKOR
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 27, 2023
