WESTERN CAPE – Our pursuit to seize unlicensed firearms in the province yielded positive results when SAPS members arrested several suspects for possession of firearms and ammunition.
On Saturday, 06 November 2021 three suspects aged between 20 and 27 were arrested during the afternoon in Klapmuts by the Winelands highway patrol team after a Toyota Tazz that was hijacked in Kraaifontein earlier in the day, was spotted. The vehicle was pulled over on the R44 close to the Klapmuts shopping centre and both the vehicle and the suspects were searched. A 9mm firearm, mandrax and tik were found on the suspects and the vehicle was positively linked to the hijacking.
The suspects will appear in the Paarl Magistrates Court on Monday, 2021-11-08 on charges of hijacking, possession of unlicensed firearm and drugs.
In an unrelated matter, on Saturday, 06 November 2021 at 20:45 two 23-year-old males were arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and a hijacked vehicle.
Members deployed in the Samora Machel SAPS precinct doing high density patrols responded to an all points broadcast of a Toyota Corolla hijacked in the area earlier in the day. They noticed the suspicious vehicle in the Sweet Home Farm informal settlement area, stopped and searched it and found a 9mm pistol with three rounds in the vehicle. On further investigation it was discovered that this was the same vehicle that was hijacked within the precinct earlier from a complainant. The two males were arrested and will be appearing in the Athlone Magistrates Court once charged.
In an unrelated matter on 07 November 2021 during the early morning hours members from SAPS Bellville were busy with crime prevention patrols in Oakdale when they spotted a suspicious looking white Toyota in Vlei Street and started following it. At the intersection of Robert Sebukwe and Belrail Road the members pulled the vehicle over and search it and found a revolver with ammunition that had been hidden inside the vehicle.
The three occupants from Delft and Cape Town, aged 19, 33 and 36 were arrested and detained on charges of possession of and illegal firearm and ammunition. The firearm, a .38 special and the ammunition were seized by the members and handed in as exhibit. The suspects are due to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court once charged.
The firearms seized will be sent for forensic examination in order to determine if they were used during previous reported firearms related offences.
Source: South African Police Service