CAPE TOWN - Efforts to fight the spread of illegal firearms in the Western Cape have once again resulted in the seizure of firearms and ammunition.

On Tuesday, 07 February 2023 at about 03:45, Muizenberg SAPS members were busy with crime prevention patrols in the Hill View area, when they noticed a suspicious male in St Irene Road. Upon noticing the police, the suspect started running in the opposite direction.

The members gave chase on foot, cornering the suspect in an abandoned house in St Edwards Street. After a thorough search of the premises and the suspect, a firearm and 36 rounds of ammunition were discovered. The suspect, a 26-year-old resident of Hill View was arrested and detained at Muizenberg SAPS, on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

He will appear at the Muizenberg Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.

In an unrelated matter, members of Steenberg SAPS arrested an 18-year-old suspect for possession of a prohibited firearm, ammunition and a dangerous weapon early this morning at about 01:15 in St Christopher Street, Lavender Hill.

The members were busy with their routine patrols when they spotted a suspicious looking male disposing of a black object while running away. The members pursued the suspect on foot and managed to apprehend him. They brought him back to the place where he dropped the object and it was found to be a 9mm pistol without a serial number filed off, one round of ammunition and a knife. He will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court once charge.

Source: South African Police Service