Four illegal firearms removed in the Nyanga Cluster

Police dedication to fight the proliferation of illegal firearms in the area of Nyanga Cluster continue to yield positive results. Last night, Monday 20 May 2019 at about 20:45, police recovered two illegal firearms and ammunition and arrested a 30-year-old suspect in Zwelitsha Drive, Nyanga. Members from Nyanga police were on patrol duties when they noticed a white VW POLO fitting the description of a vehicle that was involved in a shooting earlier where a spaza. Shop owner and another man were shot and injured just after parking a vehicle in front of a spaza shop in Nkunzana Street in Browns Farm. It was reported that the victims were shot at by occupants who were driving a white VW POLO with a certain registration plate.

When members spotted the vehicle at Zwelitsha Drive they followed it and the driver started accelerating when he realised police were behind them. Three of the suspects jumped out of the vehicle and the driver could not. Police searched the vehicle and recovered two illegal firearms, a 9mm Luger with a magazine and four rounds and a 9mm Parabellum with a magazine and eight rounds as well as four cell phones. Both firearms serial numbers were filed off. The driver was arrested and detained for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of prohibited firearms and attempted murder.

In Manenberg, police arrested two men aged 22 and 36 for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition in two separate cases in the last 24 hours. Police were doing crime prevention patrols in the area when they saw a man in Waterberg Road Heideveld, with a 12 gauge shot gun in his hands, the suspect tried in vain to evade arrest. It was discovered that the shotgun was reported stolen on a Caledon case in 2013.

In another incident, a 36-year-old male was arrested in the early hours of this morning about 02:30 while he was walking in Thames Avenue. The suspect was arrested by members from Tactical Response Team who were patrolling in Manenberg. Upon searching the suspects, police found a 9 mm pistol with eleven rounds of ammunition in his possession.

The three suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula commended the members for ensuring that unlicensed firearms and ammunition are removed from the communities.