Cape cops on a roll in battle against illegal guns

COPS in the Western Cape are on a roll in their battle to rid Cape Town’s streets of illegal guns, confiscating no fewer than four firearms on the Cape Flats on Sunday.

In Geelhout Street, Bonteheuwel, members attached to Operation Lockdown III searched a premises in Geelhout Street where they found a 7.65 pistol with six rounds of ammunition hidden in the house. 

They arrested a 39-year-old male for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He will appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 30 December 2025.

In the same street, they noticed a man who started running when he noticed the police vehicle approaching. 

They gave chase, but the suspect evaded the police, but threw an imitation firearm on the ground in the process.

In an unrelated intervention, members of the Anti-Gang Unit conducted an intelligence driven operation in Vygieskraal, Athlone, where they searched an informal dwelling. 

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg explained: “During the search the members found a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition and arrested a 30-year-old-male for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.”

Once charged the suspect will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ court on the mentioned charges.

Cops were also besig in Steenberg, where members of the Steenberg Crime Prevention Unit received information about a person who is in possession of a firearm in Cradock Road on Sunday morning and followed up on the information. 

Twigg added: “The members noticed the suspect fitting the description, and when he saw the police vehicle, he started to run. 

“The members gave chase on foot and apprehended the suspect. Upon searching him, the members found a .45 Colt pistol with eight rounds of ammunition. 

“He faces charges for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates' court once he has been charged.” 

In an unrelated matter, members of the Maitland Flying Squad and a local security company followed up information on Sunday about a person who wanted to sell a firearm in Century City, and a description was given. 

Twigg explained: “The members noticed the suspect fitting the description and apprehended him. Upon searching the suspect, the members found a 9mm pistol with ammunition in his possession. 

“The suspect could not produce a firearm license and was subsequently arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.”   

He will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates' court once he has been charged.