City of Cape Town Metro Police officers arrested two men earlier this morning at the Langa Taxi Rank who had fired on them seconds before. Other ranks have been quiet, but all role players including the South African Police Service (SAPS), remain on high alert. Quelling taxi violence is part of the week’s enforcement.
‘Metro Police officers walked into a firefight at the Langa Taxi Rank when members attached to the Tactical Response Unit were dispatched to a taxi related shooting at the rank. They arrived to find SAPS officers already on the scene and as they entered the rank on foot, they were fired at.
‘Our officers weren’t daunted and continued their search for the shooters. They found two men pretending to be asleep in one of the taxis. The officers weren’t fooled and the two were arrested with two 9mm pistols with 16 live rounds of ammunition in their possession. Only one of them produced a valid license,’ explained the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Both suspects, aged 54 and 48, were arrested for shooting in a municipal area and for attempted murder. Both were detained at Langa police station.
‘While Cape Town has managed to escape the threat of civil unrest thus far, the taxi violence needs to be curbed as it could severely impact public safety and the economy, and we continue to urge restraint and dialogue. The Western Cape Government continues to engage with the taxi industry to find solutions to the conflict,’ said Alderman Smith.
In other Metro Police successes:
A drug dealer who found innovative ways to hide his stash, was arrested in Goodwood on Saturday.
Officers noticed the driver of a vehicle they had pulled over for a routine stop, appeared nervous.
When they searched the car, K9 Xena found a number of drugs, including mandrax, cocaine and tik, hidden in batteries, air freshener and tyre pressure canisters in the glove compartment.
The 48-year-old driver had R6 390 cash in his possession and he was detained at Goodwood SAPS.
Officers made 49 arrests for the week of which seven were firearm related and 16 were for the possession or sale of drugs.
On Thursday, they caught a cable thief red handed after the control room informed them of the man cutting cables on the corner of The Downs and Manenberg Avenue. The 26-year-old was arrested for malicious damage to property and detained at Manenberg SAPS.
Traffic Service
Officers arrested 27 suspects, impounded 44 vehicles, 81 cell phones and issued 46 699 fines. Of those arrested, 13 were charged with drunk driving.
Law Enforcement
Officers made 107 arrests and issued 3 659 notices, while those attached to the LEAP programme continue to make inroads into taking illegal weapons off the streets.
On Saturday, officers were on patrol at Govan Mbeki, opposite the Philippi Mall in Nyanga, when they pulled over a vehicle.
A search revealed an illegal 9mm Luger 380/15 auto pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition, one magazine and a knife in the cubby holder. The driver was arrested and taken to Nyanga police station.
Yesterday the officers were on patrol in Hanover Park when they flagged down a vehicle with four occupants in Blomvlei Avenue.
In the glove compartment, they found a yellow plastic bag containing a silver firearm with 19 x 9mm and 6 x 38 calibre rounds. The four men were arrested and taken to Philippi police station.
‘Gun violence continues to devastate families and communities. Every weapon taken off the street is a potential life saved. I commend our officers for their dedication in making our areas safer as these are weapons that could also be used against them,’ said Alderman Smith.
Report any suspicious behaviour or imminent threats to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialing 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
Source: City of Cape Town