A 30-year-old suspected carjacker from Town Two in Khayelitsha was arrested at the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 June, while appearing in connection with a separate case. The suspect was traced by members of Crime Intelligence following the hijacking of a Parliament vehicle in Delft last month.

Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said Crime Intelligence shared information with the Makhaza Anti-Hijacking Team, and officers jointly arrested the suspect before taking him to his residence in Bekelentloko Street, Town Two.

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Modified firearm recovered at Town Two home

“Upon arrival, officers searched the premises and recovered a modified imitation firearm. The suspect was arrested on charges of carjacking and possession of a prohibited firearm. Once formally charged, he will appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court,” said Gwala.

In a separate incident, Gwala said members of Operation Lockdown III confiscated two firearms and ammunition at the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa.

“The members conducted a search at the suspect’s address at around 23:00. Two 9mm pistols with serial numbers removed, as well as 34 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, were found. A 47-year-old woman was arrested for possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition,” she said.

Gwala added that the suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court once she has been formally charged.

A South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) leader in Town Two, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said he was not aware of the incident. However, he added that he was not surprised to hear about it.

SANCO leader calls for community vigilance

“Town Two is not that bad, but we do have criminals here. They go out and commit crimes in other areas and then return. If you still remember the case of an eight-year-old child who was kidnapped from Gatesville four years ago and kept in a shack here, we were all shocked by that incident. We never expected it,” he said.

The leader urged community members to report any wrongdoing or suspicious activities to their nearest police station.

He said the law must take its course against anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.