Media Statement

Office of the Provincial Commissioner Western Cape

WESTERN CAPE - The continued assistance of community members who are tired of gang members controlling their suburbs, led to the arrest of four males on charges of possession of unlicensed and prohibited firearms and ammunition in isolated incidents.

Police members attached to Provincial Tactical Response Team conducted high-density patrols in Manenberg on Monday 01 July when they were alerted about a man in possession of a firearm. The police members approached the identified man who fled and in full view of the police members dropped an object. The police members found and confiscated a Silver Taurus .38 Special revolver with ammunition which resulted in the detention of a 33 year old man on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In an unrelated intervention, police members attached to Maitland Flying Squad, deployed in Gatesville in Athlone, conducted routine patrols on Monday 01 July when they were informed of unknown males in the area who were allegedly in possession of a firearm with ammunition. The members saw two males near to Jakes Gerwel Drive who fitted the description and searched them. They confiscated a 9mm short pistol with ammunition that ultimately resulted in the arrest of the two males aged 32 and 33 on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Meanwhile, Maitland Flying Squad members conducted Crime Prevention patrols in an informal Settlement in Athlone in the early hours of Tuesday 02 July. The members entered the area on foot when they saw an unknown man who disappeared between the shacks. They gave chase and apprehended the 41 year old man, searched him upon which they confiscated a .38 special revolver with ammunition. They arrested the suspect on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone Magistrates' court on the mentioned charges.