The efforts of officers attached to the LEAP initiative, and their Metro Police counterparts saw the recovery of half a dozen firearms between 23:30 on Friday, 25 February 2022 and 16:00 on Saturday, 26 February 2022. Read more below:
The recovery of the firearms also resulted in five arrests. A timeline of events is outlined below:
• On Friday, 25 February 2022 at approximately 23:30, LEAP officers on patrol in Delft South spotted five males standing on a street corner. As they approached, two of the men ran away. During the ensuing chase, the men were seen dumping objects on the ground, which later turned out to be two firearms. They were arrested and detained at Delft SAPS.
• A few hours later, at 02:45, LEAP officers were on patrol in Eindhoven when they saw a man walking down the street. When he saw the officers, he dumped an object into a nearby yard. Officers investigated, and found a 9mm pistol with five rounds of ammunition. The suspect was arrested and detained at Delft SAPS. (pictured)
• At 11:15 on Saturday, 26 February 2022, members of the Metro Police Tactical Response Unit responded to a shooting incident at an intersection along Jan Smuts Drive in Wetton. They found an abandoned white VW sedan in the middle of the intersection with the doors open and spent cartridges on the ground. Members of the public informed the officers that three suspects jumped out of that vehicle, and opened fire on another vehicle, which managed to drive away. They also pointed out the direction in which the suspects fled, and officers apprehended two men aged 29 and 34 a short while later. They also recovered a 9mm pistol with five rounds of ammunition in the magazine. The suspects were arrested for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and discharging a firearm in a municipal area. They were detained at Lansdowne SAPS.
At 15:54, LEAP officers were conducting patrols in Bishop Lavis when they were informed of a shooting in the area. Officers responded and conducted a stop and search of two men, but found nothing on them. A few minutes later, they were flagged down by members of the public who informed them that the two men they’d searched were spotted dumping firearms at a nearby property before they were searched. Officers recovered two 9mm pistols and nine rounds of ammunition. An inquiry docket was opened and the matter was handed over to SAPS for further investigation.
‘The recovery of these firearms were the result of visible and responsive policing on the one hand, and valuable input from community members on the other. I commend the officers involved in all of these incidents, but also the many other day-to-day enforcement basics that result in arrests and firearm confiscations, as well as act as deterrents to potential criminal acts. I also commend the members of the public who see the value in working with our enforcement staff to bring criminals to book. Effective policing relies heavily on partnerships with community based organisations, but also individual residents. And, while the recovery of these firearms is certainly a feat, it does once again beg the question about the supply lines and why so many illegal firearms continue to make it onto our streets,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The five suspects arrested for firearm-related crimes this weekend were among 280 arrests made by the City’s enforcement services in the last week.
The Metro Police Department made 129 arrests and issued 4 249 fines for traffic and by-law infringements.
Cape Town Traffic service arrested 91 suspects, impounded 167 vehicles, 114 cell phones and issued 79 914 fines. Among those arrested, were 44 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol and 26 for reckless and negligent driving.
Law Enforcement officers made 60 arrests, including 36 for the possession of drugs, three for possession of imitation firearms, four for assault, four for dealing in liquor and four for metal theft.
Officers also issued 3 494 fines and compliance notices.
Source: City Of Cape Town