Cape town: The endeavours of the respective South African Police Service (SAPS) stations and units in the Western Cape to bring stability to crime-ridden areas have proved fruitful with the confiscation of illegal firearms and ammunitions during police operations.
According to South African Government News Agency, on Thursday evening, the police were observing a memorial service of an extortionist in Hobo Hobo Street, Ilitha Park, Lingelethu-West when they heard gunshots. They responded and followed a suspect with a firearm running to a white Toyota. The vehicle was searched, and a revolver, two spent cartridges, and three .38 rounds of ammunition were found in the car. A 22-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The firearm was discovered to belong to a deceased person from Mbekweni in Wellington. The suspect is due to appear in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 06 October 2025.
Also last week, police attached to the Anti-Gang unit, deployed to combat escalating gang violence between rival street gangs in Lotus River, Grassy Park area, received information about a firearm being stored at premises in Duiker Avenue, Lotus River. The members operationalized the information and searched the premises and its occupants. They found a revolver with five rounds on a male at the premises. The 26-year-old suspect, who had no valid license for the firearm, was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and is expected to appear before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
On Friday, members attached to Vanrhynsdorp SAPS, in collaboration with Provincial Traffic, set up a vehicle checkpoint and pulled over a Blue Mazda Etude with four occupants. A search revealed two big bags containing dagga, which were confiscated. The four occupants, aged between 22 and 49, were arrested for dealing and possession of dagga and are due to appear in the Klawer Magistrate’s Court.
On 03 October 2025, SAPS members were conducting crime prevention patrols in the Main Road, Rondebosch area and received information about a stolen beige VW Polo. A high-speed chase ensued after spotting the vehicle, which ended when it collided with a marked Fidelity vehicle. Four suspects were apprehended, and two firearms, 10 rounds of ammunition, two cellphones, and four mandrax tablets were found and confiscated. All suspects were arrested on charges of possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and possession of drugs.
On Saturday, Saldanha Crime Prevention Unit members, while on patrol in Diazville, Saldanha, heard a gunshot in Vraagom Street. Upon investigation, they apprehended two suspicious men, finding one in possession of a 9mm firearm with its serial number removed, an extended magazine, and 27 rounds of ammunition. The 18-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm and will appear in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court.