WESTERN CAPE - The efforts of our members to ensure the safety of the community led to the arrest of several suspects for possession of unlicensed, prohibited firearms and ammunition.
On Thursday 09 June 2022 at about 20:00 members attached to Maitland Flying Squad received information about a Rossi .38 Special firearm with serial number filed off, and found abandoned in Kuilsrivier. The firearm was booked in at Kuilsrivier SAPS for further investigation.
In an unrelated matter, members of Flying Squad was tracking a hijacked Audi A1 on Friday 10 June 2022 at 08:30. It is alleged the vehicle was hijacked in Manenberg and was later spotted in Mitchells Plain by members of Flying Squad. The driver refused to stop the vehicle, where after a high speed chase ensued in Mitchells Plain. One suspect jumped out and members proceeded on chasing the vehicle that was driving in oncoming traffic. On Swartklip Road the driver tried to push SAPS vehicle off the road and also pointed members with a firearm. Members then shot at the vehicle and it was brought to a standstill on the corners of Highlands and Montclaire Drive, where it was discovered that the driver was wounded and an imitation firearm was discovered on the passenger seat of the vehicle. The male was taken to a nearby hospital under police guard for medical attention. Cases of attempted murder and possession of hijacked vehicle was registered for investigation. Vehicle was booked in as exhibit.
On Friday 10 June 2022 at about 20:05 National POPS members were on foot patrol in the Taiwan informal area at Site C, Khayelitsha when they searched a premises with five persons. Upon entry of the residence one suspect attempted to flee, but was quickly apprehended by the members. Upon searching of this male a CZ pistol with no ammunition and serial number was found in his possession. A 42-year-old man was arrested for charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
During the same operation, members of a Combat Team searched a tavern also in the Site C area not too far from the first location. Here members seized a Lorcin pistol which was later found to have been reported as stolen at De Doorns SAPS in 2019. This firearm was found abandoned just outside the tavern. No arrest was made with this firearm.
On Friday 10 June 2022 at about 18:30 members of the Provincial Extortion Task Team and Kraaifontein CID conducted a high risk crime intelligence driven operation, where a victim was kidnapped in Kraaifontein. Members received information that the victim was at a heavy guarded shack at Browns farm, Philippi. Members reacted swiftly, and on arrival at the location members had to breach the security gate to gain access into the shack. After further investigation members found the male with his hands and feet in constraints. He was positively identified as the abducted victim. After further investigation members also recovered the victims grey LDV Isuzu at an informal settlement in Samora Marcel and booked in as exhibit. The victim was taken to hospital for medical evaluation and care. Investigations continues.
On 10 June 2022 at about 09:20, Grassy Park SAPS members were busy tracing outstanding suspects when they found a 29-year-old man in a room at a premises in Whistler Road, Pelican Park and upon searching the premises they found a 9mm pistol with no serial number under the bed. The suspect will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates court on Monday 13 June 2022 on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of prohibited firearm.
During a self-initiated operation on Friday 10 June 2022 members of Boland POP were patrolling in Hibiscus Street, Paarl East area when they spotted the suspect, searched him and found an Albion revolver and four rounds of ammunition in his possession. The 26-year-old suspect was arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He will appear in the Paarl Magistrates court on Monday 13 June 2022, on the mentioned charges.
On Saturday 11 June 2022, at 01:00 members attached to Flying Squad were doing stop and search operations in Athlone area when they received information from the public of a firearm at a premises in Pearl Crescent, Belgravia, Athlone. Members searched the premises and found the mentioned firearm. Two male suspects aged 27 and 40 were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and prohibited firearm. They are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrates court on Monday 13 June 2022 on the mentioned charges.
On Saturday morning 11 June 2022, at about 00:30 members of Operation Restore while doing foot patrols at Samora Machel taxi rank heard gunshots and quickly went to the direction of the gun shots and met a 30-year-old male, upon searching him a .38 mm vest pocket with four rounds was found in his possession.
Operation Vutha Hawe conducted on Thursday 09 June 2022, led to the arrests of 530 wanted suspects who found themselves on the wrong side of the law on charges related to murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, house robbery burglary, sexual offences and possession of drugs and firearms.
The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile applauded the community for their involvement in the fight against crime. He also commended the members involved in these operations for ensuring that unlicensed firearms and criminals are removed from the streets.
Source: South African Police Service