Western Cape police have arrested multiple suspects and seized firearms, ammunition, and drugs in a series of targeted weekend operations across the province.
On Sunday, members of the Steenberg Crime Prevention Unit acted on a tip-off about an armed suspect in Albertus Court, Steenberg. Officers spotted a man matching the description, who fled on foot upon seeing their vehicle. After a brief chase, the 19-year-old was apprehended and found carrying a 9mm pistol with ammunition. He now faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In Hanover Park, Philippi SAPS officers arrested a 25-year-old man during patrols aimed at curbing gang violence. The suspect was found in possession of a .38 Special revolver and ammunition.
On Saturday, Public Order Police conducted stop-and-search operations in Petunia Street, Strand. A 22-year-old man was arrested after officers found 13 Mandrax tablets, 26 plastic packets containing crystal meth, and five half-Mandrax tablets on him. Minutes later, another man, aged 27, was caught with 39 units of cocaine. Both face drug possession charges.
That same day, the Maitland Flying Squad responded to reports of gunshots in Heideveld. Four men were seen fleeing in a vehicle, which police pursued and stopped. A search uncovered a 9mm pistol with ammunition, resulting in all four suspects being arrested under the Firearms Control Act.
Later, in Kraaifontein’s Old Paarl Road, the Flying Squad arrested a 19-year-old man after discovering 40 rounds of ammunition in his possession during a stop-and-search.
SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg praised the swift response of all units involved.
“These operations demonstrate our commitment to tackling gang violence, illegal firearm possession, and drug-related crimes in hotspot areas,” he said.
“The continued success of these interventions relies heavily on community cooperation and intelligence sharing.”
VOC News
Photo: Supplied
