WESTERN CAPE - Initiatives to combat crime in the Western Cape proved to be successful as police members arrested suspects on serious crimes.

On Tuesday, 23 August 2022, members attached to Kuilsrivier SAPS responded to information pertaining to a firearm being stored at an address in Sarepta. Upon arrival at the address in Noord Street, they saw an unknown man who fled when he saw the patrol vehicle, with police members in pursuit. In full view of the police members the suspect threw an object into a nearby house. Upon inspection the police members recovered a 9 mm pistol with ammunition. The 24-year-old male was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In an unrelated matter members attached to the West Coast Rural Flying Squad conducted routine patrols on the N7 near Clanwilliam, in the early hours of Wednesday 24 August 2022, when they stopped a white Toyota Corolla with one occupant. The vehicle and the occupant’s luggage was searched and flora plants with an estimated street value of R400 000 and five uncut diamonds were confiscated. The 51-year-old man who hails from Vredendal North was arrested and detained on charges of possession of uncut diamonds and possession of flora without a valid permit.

Once charged, the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Blue Downs and Clanwilliam Magistrate court’s on the mentioned charges.

Source: South African Police Service