Western Cape police through crime prevention operations and sterling investigations arrested several suspects for the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
On Friday 09 August 2024 members attached to Maitland Flying Squad responded after a hijacked vehicle was discovered by a tracking company, in Bishop Lavis area. The suspect ran away. Members searched the vehicle and found a 9mm pistol of which the serial number was removed. The firearm was handed in as exhibit and further processing.
On Saturday, 10 August 2024 at about 11:10 Lingelethu SAPS members were conducting patrols around Mandela Park 20 Block when they noticed a suspicious looking male who started to run when he saw the members approaching. The members immediately gave chase and caught him. He was searched which led to the recovery of a 9mm Star firearm. The suspect could not provide a valid license to be in possession of the firearm and the 30-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm. Further investigation shows that the firearm was reported stolen in Hududi in December 2017.
Ravensmead SAPS members were patrolling Uitsig area and in Begonia Avenue they saw a suspicious looking male running and gave chase. They caught him in Juniper Close, and searched him which led to the recovery of 375 Magnum revolver with six rounds. An adult male was arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Following a shooting incident on Saturday, 10 August 2024 at 02:40, at a premises in Bergpas Street, Leonsdale, Elsies River, where the body of a 32-year-old woman was found Elsies Rivier Detectives arrested a 19-year-old suspect for murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The members followed up on all leads and sterling investigations led to the arrest of the suspect at about 09:35 at a premises in 16 Avenue, Leonsdale, Elsies River. After interrogation the members found the firearm used in the neighbour’s yard.
Once charged, the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone and Goodwood Magistrate courts respectively on Monday, 12 August 2024 on the mentioned charges.
All the recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic test to determine whether it can be linked to other serious crimes committed.
Western Cape police management applauded the members for their vigilance to remove the firearms which threaten the safety of the public from the streets.
Community members are urged to report crime to their nearest police station, SAPS crime stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on MySAPS App.
