South Africa: Several Suspects Arrested and Unlicensed Firearms, Ammunition and Drugs Taken Off the Streets in Western Cape

Police members mandate to create a safe and secure environment in all communities yielded positive results when they arrested several suspects in the Western Cape.

On Saturday, 2023-05-20, members attached to the Anti-Gang Unit Combat Team performed crime prevention duties in Hanover Park area when they received information about firearms which are being stored at a premises in Silica Walk, Hanover Park. The members immediately operationalised the information and upon searching the premises, found a pistol with ten rounds of ammunition, buried under a vibracrete slab in the front yard. Subsequently, a 20-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He will appear in the Athlone Magistrates court on Monday.

The members also conducted a tracing operation and arrested two wanted suspects in a Philippi murder case. The suspects, 20 and 21-year-old, are believed to be affiliated to a gang grouping in Hanover Park. They are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday on the mentioned charge.

In an unrelated matter, on Saturday, 20 May 2023 at 07:30 a 34-year-old male was arrested for the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. This follows increased integrated deployment following the murder of a 35-year-old man in Olga court Manenberg. Metro police members deployed in the hotspot area spotted the suspect in Thames Avenue. As they approached the suspect the community tried to distract the officers so that the suspect could evade arrest. However, they cornered the suspect and found a pistol with nine rounds of ammunition in his possession. He will appear in the Athlone Magistrate court on Monday.

Meanwhile, members attached to Flying Squad were patrolling the Manenberg Policing precinct and followed up information of a possible stolen motor vehicle. As they patrolled Jupiter Road, Surrey Estate. They spotted the Silver Picanto. The vehicle was checked and found to have been hijacked in the Athlone area. Three suspects, two men aged 28 and 31 and a 32-year-old woman were arrested and will be appearing in the Athlone Magistrates court for the possession of stolen property.

Members of Rural Flying Squad had a vehicle check point at Dwarskersbos in the West Coast when they saw a suspicious looking driver in a LDV whilst he approaching the check point. The members immediately stopped and searched the vehicle and occupant. They found mandrax and tik with an estimated street value of R310 000.00, concealed inside the vehicle. A 43-year-old man was arrested for possession/dealing in drugs. He will appear in the Laaiplek Magistrates court on Monday on the mentioned charges.