WESTERN CAPE – Members have vowed to root out criminal elements and the spread of illegal firearms in the Nyanga Cluster.

Two firearms were recovered and three suspects were arrested during operations conducted in the early hours of this morning in Samora Machel.

The members were busy with operations when they stopped and searched a vehicle with two occupants. They recovered a 9mm with one round and both suspects aged 30 and 35 were arrested.

In an unrelated matter the second firearm was found in possession of a 28 year old suspect who was arrested in Lillian Ngoyi Street in Samora Machel. The firearm was positively reported stolen in January 2021 in Gugulethu.

On Thursday, 08 July 2021, members of Samora Machel received information on the location of a possible suspect in a hijacking case. Upon seeing the SAPS members the suspect fled the scene, but was pursued and arrested at a residence in Cauliflower Street in Heinz Park. Police searched the house and recovered a firearm with six rounds hidden under a pillow, 20 sachets of dagga and 20 packets of tik. Two suspects aged 28 and 29 were arrested.

On Friday, 09 July 2021, in another incidents four suspects were arrested on hijacking charges in Samora Machel while two suspects aged 29 and 36 were arrested on house robbery charges in Nyanga.

On Friday, 09 July 2021, in Philippi East, a 23-year-old suspect was arrested and found to be in possession of nine rounds of ammunition. Members attached to POP in George arrested the suspect while busy with an operation yesterday afternoon in Marikana Informal Settlement.

The suspects are expected to appear in Athlone Magistrate Court for the possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, possession of stolen property and possession of drugs.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile applauded the members for their efforts in removing these firearms and ammunition of the streets.

Source: South Africa Police Service