CAPE TOWN – Western Cape police arrested four suspects and seized multiple firearms during separate operations across Bonteheuwel, Athlone, Steenberg, and Century City on Sunday, as law enforcement intensifies its drive to remove illegal weapons from community streets.
The weekend’s operations involved Operation Lockdown III, Anti-Gang Unit members, Steenberg Crime Prevention Unit, and the Maitland Flying Squad, demonstrating coordinated efforts to tackle gun crime across different areas.
Operation Lockdown III members made their first arrest in Geelhout Street, Bonteheuwel, where they discovered a 7.65 pistol with six rounds of ammunition hidden inside a house during a search operation.
Officers arrested a 39-year-old man for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is scheduled to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 30 December.
In a separate incident in Yellowwood Street, Bonteheuwel, police conducting crime prevention operations spotted a man who immediately fled when he noticed their vehicle approaching.
Officers gave chase, but the suspect managed to evade capture during the pursuit. However, police recovered an imitation firearm that the fleeing man had thrown to the ground during the chase.
The weekend’s operations extended to Athlone, where Anti-Gang Unit members conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Vygieskraal.
During a search of an informal dwelling, officers discovered a 9mm pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old man on charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The suspect will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court once formally charged.
Steenberg foot chase yields powerful weapon
In Steenberg, Crime Prevention Unit members received information about a person in possession of a firearm in Cradock Road on Sunday morning.
Officers spotted the suspect matching the description, and when he saw the police vehicle, he immediately started running. Members gave chase on foot and successfully apprehended the suspect.
Upon searching him, officers found a .45 Colt pistol with eight rounds of ammunition. The suspect will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court once charged.
The Maitland Flying Squad, working with a local security company, followed up on information about a person wanting to sell a firearm in Century City on Sunday.
Members noticed the suspect fitting the provided description and apprehended him. During the search, officers found a 9mm pistol with ammunition in his possession.
The suspect could not produce a firearm license and was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court once charged.
The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by multiple police units to rid Western Cape streets of illegal firearms used in criminal activities, with particular focus on fighting gang violence in areas like Steenberg.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the details of the operations, highlighting the multi-pronged approach being taken by different police units to address illegal weapons in communities.
All arrested suspects remain in custody pending their court appearances at Bishop Lavis, Athlone, Wynberg, and Cape Town Magistrates’ courts respectively.
