WESTERN CAPE The quest to seize unlicensed firearms in the province yielded positive outcomes when members of Kensington SAPS confiscated one unlicensed firearm and ammunition and arrested two suspects. The arrested suspects aged 44 and 46 were found to be in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition on Saturday evening.

Members of Kensington SAPS were conducting stop and search operations at 21:50 in an informal settlement in 6th Ave Kensington. They approached two suspects, one of whom appeared to be dropping something on spotting the police.

The suspect was searched and next to him on the ground was a silver .38 Special revolver. Both suspects were arrested for possession of illegal firearm and ammunition.

The firearm was registered as stolen in Belhar this year. Both suspects are due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 07 October 2019 on the mentioned charges.

In an unrelated matter, Mfuleni SAPS crime prevention members followed up on information about firearms and ammunition being stored at a premises in Wydgelee Street, Wesbank. The members immediately reacted on the information. They apprehended a suspect aged 27 for possession of an R5 Rifle with thevserial number filed off, a shot gun and several 9mm as well as shot gun rounds.

Once charged, the suspect will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates Court on charges of possession of prohibited firearms and illegal possession of ammunition.

All confiscated firearms will be sent for forensic examinations in order to determine if they were not used in commission of crimes.

Acting Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi commended the members for the confiscations and arrests. The removal of firearms and the combatting of gangsterism remains a high priority for the SAPS in the Western Cape. He further stated that the above arrests are proof that partnership policing works.

Source: South African Police Service