CAPE TOWN – The Ravensmead police have confirmed that a member of the South African National Defence Force was arrested op Saturday for possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives. Captain Odwa Makupula, spokesperson for the Ravensmead police welcomed the arrest. and says the community wants the army in their midst, but not rogue members.
Sledge hammer
According to Captain FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, officers from the Anti-Gang Unit received information regarding a suspect from the South African Defence Force (SANDF) keeping firearms at his premises in Delphi Street, Eureka Estate. “They went to the house and found the house empty.
They continued searching the premises and in one room, under a carpet a member saw concrete with plastic sticking out. The members then broke the concrete with a sledge hammer after which they found a steel box buried in the ground. Upon opening the steel box, the officers found an assortment of weapons and ammunition,” says Van Wyk.
The stash included blank cartridges, 7.62 and 5.65 rifle cartridges, a 9mm Imitation firearm, a Barretta Z88 9mm pistol with magazine and firearm storage box, an AR15 pistol grip/rifle upper and lower part, a scope, a magnifier, a silver Lenovo laptop, two rifle magazines, a black LG laptop, a black Huawei P9 cellular phone, nitrosellulose (compound used for explosives) and a Claymore anti-personnel mine.
A 51-year-old-man was arrested after the discovery. According to Van Wyk the suspect arrived home and identified himself as the owner of the house. “He was then arrested for the possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives and transported to Ravensmead police station.
The case docket is investigated by the Provincial Organised Crime Detectives’ Firearms Investigations Unit.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced that the army will be employed op the Cape Flats to assit in the ongoing fight against gang violence. But Saturday’s incident raises some serious questions, says the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Benedicta van Minnen the spokesperson op Police Oversight and Community Safety.
“This incident underscores a critical reality: the deployment of the army into civilian communities is not a simple solution, and our defence force is not without their own governance and operational shortcomings. While the fight against gangsterism requires decisive action, it also demands accountability and oversight.
No oversight
“Provinces do not currently have sufficient oversight mechanisms in place to hold the army accountable when deployed internally. Our Standing Committee op Police Oversight and Community Safety, has a constitutional duty to safeguard our residents. However, our direct oversight over SANDF operations is limited, as the defence force is a national competency.
23If instances arise where residents’ rights are infringed upon, where force is excessive, or where misconduct occurs, what mechanisms are available at provincial level to intervene swiftly and effectively? How do we protect our communities not only from gangs, but also from potential abuse of power?
“Our communities deserve protection from violent criminals. But they also deserve constitutional safeguards and accountable governance,” says Van Minnen. She says The DA in the Western Cape maintains that safety and accountability must go hand in hand. Any SANDF deployment must be accompanied by clear operational mandates and rules of engagement, transparent reporting to provincial authorities, independent oversight and compliance mechanisms that are accessible to the public.
