WESTERN CAPE An intelligence driven operation conducted by Operation Lockdown resulted in the arrest of 41 people in various cases this past weekend in Philippi East. The operations in the area concentrated on hot spots where car hijackings occur.

On Sunday, 26 January 2020, at approximately 23:30, five male suspects aged between 26 and 27 were arrested for attempted robbery and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. A community member noticed members patrolling the area and informed them that the suspects were busy robbing and assaulting a driver inside his vehicle in Marcus Garvey Road, Philippi East. Upon arrival at the aforementioned address, the members arrested the suspects while the victim was transported to a healthcare facility for medical assistance. All five suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today, 28 January 2020.

The rest of the suspects were arrested this past weekend on charges related to: driving under the influence of alcohol; possession of a dangerous weapon; possession of mandrax and tik; possession of a hijacked vehicle; possession of firearm and ammunition; shoplifting and common assault.

In an unrelated incident, our mission to eradicate the presence of unlicensed firearms produced a successful result when members of the Khayelitsha Crime Prevention Unit arrested a 30 year old suspect in Site B, Khayelitsha on Sunday, 26 January 2020, at around 19:00. When a police member was busy with patrols in the area, he noticed the suspect walking with a firearm in his hand. The suspect became aware of the member and immediately started running to evade arrest, however the member gave chase and caught up with the suspect. The firearm was found in the suspect’s possession and he was arrested.

The suspect will appear at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on a charge related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Source: South African Police Service