Paarl: In a protracted investigation, members of the Anti-Gang Unit detective team pounced on an estate in Paarl last night and arrested a 26-year-old alleged gang member for a series of serious and violent crimes, some dating back to a year ago.

At this stage of the investigation, the suspect can be linked to the following crimes:

3 x Possession of Firearms and ammunition

12 x Attempted Murders

9 x Murders

1 x Intimidation

1 x House breaking with intend to kill

3 x Assault GBH

1 x Robbery

2 x MITP

2 x J50 warrants of arrest

1 x J165 warrant

Pending further analysis of other dockets, more charges could be added.

The suspect is alleged to have terrorised some communities of the Cape Flats including Lavender Hill and Steenberg where he attacked fellow gang members and innocent beings in his trail of violence. With the Unit hot on the heels of the suspect, he had been on the run for some time. Meanwhile shooting incidents in the Lavender Hill area had somewhat subsided.

He is expected to appear in court on Monday on charges listed above.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula has hailed the arrest by the Unit as a step in the right direction towards defeating the scourge of gang violence.

Source: South African Police Service