Safer Festive Season crime combatting operations under the theme “more boots on the ground”, with a specific focus to rid communities of illegal firearms which pose a major threat to the safety of the public led to the confiscation of two unlicensed firearms in the Garden Route.
On Monday, 25 December 2023 members attached to Crime Intelligence and Oudtshoorn Crime Prevention Unit operationalised intelligence when they proceeded to a house at 16th Avenue, Bridgeton in Oudtshoorn. The vigilant members search the residence and found a 38 Special Taurus concealed inside a cupboard in the bedroom. They confiscated the firearm and arrested a 47-year-old man on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Later the same day, 25 December 2023, members attached to the Sea Border unit deployed along the coastline conducted patrols at Walvis Street, De Bakke in Mossel Bay when they spotted a suspicious vehicle. The team pulled over the vehicle and upon searching it, found a firearm. The police confiscated the 7.65 pistol with one magazine as well as seven rounds of ammunition and arrested the 50-year-old man. He is facing charges of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
Both suspects remains in police custody. They are expected to make their first court appearances in the respective courts on Wednesday, 27 December 2023 on mentioned charges.
The Western Cape police management hailed the efforts of these member to remove firearms from the streets. These confiscations are in line with the operational approach and deployment to rid communities of firearms and drugs which remain crime generators in this province. The deployment of more boots on the ground are paying dividends and it will be maintained for the duration of the festive period and beyond.
