In the past three and a half months, the City’s enforcement services have recovered nearly 50 firearms, and even more imitation and zip guns.
Metro Police officers recovered a firearm in Bonteheuwel early on Sunday morning, after responding to gunshots fired in the area.
It was the latest in a series of firearm confiscations in recent months.
Just before 01:00, officers on patrol in the area heard gunfire and responded. On arrival, they noticed a silver Toyota Tazz speeding away from the area. Officers pulled over the vehicle in Jakkalsvlei Road and conducted a search, with the owner’s permission.
They found a Z88 9mm pistol under the driver’s seat – three suspects in their early thirties were detained at Bishop Lavis SAPS for the possession of an illegal firearm and discharging of a firearm in a municipal area.
‘Our enforcement staff are making regular firearm confiscations, which is testament to the proliferation of firearms on our streets. However, the rate of confiscations of imitation firearms and zip guns also requires interrogation. One possible explanation is that the continued confiscation of illegal firearms by Metro Police and Law Enforcement, as well as the South African Police Services, has led to criminals struggling to obtain access to illegal firearms and resorting to making their own zip guns or using imitation firearms,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Between 1 July and 12 October this year, the Metro Police Department confiscated 13 firearms, 10 imitation firearms and three zip guns.
During the same period, officers attached to the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan confiscated 38 firearms, 38 imitation firearms and three zip guns.
During general enforcement efforts in the past week, the City’s agencies made 260 arrests.
Metro Police officers arrested 130 suspects and issued 3 027 fines
Law Enforcement officers made 80 arrests and issued 2 462 fines for various transgressions.
City Traffic officers arrested 50 suspects – 36 for driving under the influence of alcohol – and impounded 124 vehicles, 154 cellphones and issued 59 703 fines.
Source: City Of Cape Town