The management of the South African Police Service in the Western Cape, acted upon the crime pattern analysis in the area of Manenberg and strategically deployed the Anti-Gang Unit in the area to combat crime and to take unlicensed and prohibited firearms and ammunition off the streets on Friday (202-06-03).

Committed police members went the extra mile to protect the community when they conducted foot patrols in the hotspot of gang violence. Upon approaching Rio Grande, they noticed an unknown man who tried to evade them. The police members gave chase and apprehended the man and searched him. They confiscated firearm with ammunition. The 36-year-old male was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. A 19-year-old man was arrested as he interfered with the police investigation whilst the suspect was detained and under police guard in the patrol vehicle.

Meanwhile members in Kathleen court noticed a man who appeared to be very nervous. When they approached him, he started to run with police in pursuit. The suspect ran into a nearby house where he was caught by the police officers. The suspect was found in possession of a firearm with ammunition. The 19-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

An intelligence driven operation led the members to an address in Gamtoos Street, where they arrested a 22-year-old man on a charge of attempted murder.

As gang members became terrified with the presence of the Anti-Gang unit members, some fled the area leaving behind their weapons on an open field. The police members confiscated two zip guns found abandoned.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisele Patekile lauded the members of the Anti-Gang unit for continuing to eradicate the possession of unlicensed and prohibited firearms and ammunition in Manenberg, an area that is notorious for gang violence on a daily basis.

Source: South African Police Service