Crackdown on Illegal Firearms: Eight Arrested in Western Cape Operations

In a vigorous push to strip the streets of the Western Cape of illegal firearms, local police took decisive action, apprehending eight individuals in separate incidents on a single day. The suspects are due in court following their arrests tied to the possession of unlawful guns and ammunition.

The Western Cape Police's relentless drive on October 29, 2024, saw collaboration from various units within the force. In an intricate operation in Lansdowne, officers raided a residence, frisking occupants and scouring the property. Their tenacity paid off with two rifles, an unnumbered pistol, a cache of bullets, and a sum of cash unearthed. Lacking legal documentation for the arms, five men, ages spanning from 48 to 68, found themselves in custody, accused of unlawful possession.

An entirely separate event unfolded with the Public Order Police, demonstrating the depth of the day's operations. In the vicinity of Mandela Park, an intelligence lead prodded law enforcement to investigate three men. An ensuing chase culminated in the recovery of more illicit weaponry—a pistol, rounds of ammunition, and one 37-year-old suspect detained.

Adding another layer to the day's haul, the specialized Anti-Gang Unit confronted a reported dagga depot in Tafelsig. The ensuing search revealed not only a Smith and Wesson revolver with bullets but also three bags brimming with dagga. A 39-year-old man from Tanzania was arrested, facing charges beyond firearm possession, inclusive of drug possession.

Now, the individuals tied to these incidents are slated for their respective courtroom confrontations, with the Athlone and Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Courts as the venues for justice.