Efforts to fight the spread of illegal firearms in the Western Cape have once again resulted in the discovery of firearms, ammunition and the arrest of several suspects on charges relating to possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.

On Friday, 15 September 2023 at about 12:45, Cloetesville SAPS members received information of a firearm at a premises in Sylvia Street, Cloetesville. Upon arrival the members searched the property including individuals on the premises and found a .38 Special Taurus revolver with five rounds of ammunition. Two suspects aged 24 and 26 were arrested on a charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and are due to appear in the Stellenbosch Magistrates court on Monday, 18 September 2023. Further investigation indicated that the owner of the firearm is deceased

In an unrelated matter, on Friday 15 September 2023 at about 18:40, Steenberg SAPS Crime Prevention unit members conducted stop and searches in the hotspot location in St Barbara Street, Lavender Hill, when they came across a member of a local gang grouping. They stopped and searched him and he was found to be in possession of a 7.65 firearm with seven rounds of ammunition. The 16-year-old suspect was arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and is due to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates court on Monday, 18 September 2023, on the mentioned charges.

On the same day while conducting stop and searches in Lavender Hill, a member of local gang was spotted in St Bonaface, Lavender Hill where he was stopped and searched and found to be in possession of a blank firearm with five blank rounds. The 33 year old suspect was arrested, and is due to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates court on Monday, 18 September 2023 on the mentioned charges.

On Friday afternoon, members of Maitland Flying Squad saw a vehicle in Bellville area that was hijacked in Delft. The vehicle was pulled over and two suspects aged between 25 and 35 were arrested. The members searched the vehicle and found an imitation firearm in the vehicle. The suspects were detained at Bellville SAPS on charges of possession of imitation firearm and possession of hijacked vehicle. They are due to appear in the Bellville Magistrates court on Monday, 18 September 2023 on the mentioned charges.

Source: South African Police Service