Western Cape police’s pursuit to confiscate illegal firearms in the province has once again yielded positive results after several suspects were arrested over the weekend for possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the SAPS, three suspects aged between 20 and 27 years old were arrested on Saturday, November 6 in Klapmuts by officers attached to the Winelands highway patrol team after a Toyota Tazz that was hijacked in Kraaifontein earlier in the day, was spotted.
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said the vehicle was pulled over on the R44 close to the Klapmuts shopping centre and both the vehicle and the suspects were searched.
“A 9mm firearm, mandrax and tik were found on the suspects and the vehicle was positively linked to the hijacking,” Van Wyk said.
The suspects will appear in the Paarl Magistrates Court on Monday, on charges of hijacking, possession of an unlicensed firearm and drugs.
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Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, two 23-year-old males were arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and a hijacked vehicle. Their arrest comes after members deployed in the Samora Machel SAPS precinct that were doing high-density patrols responded to an all-point broadcast of a Toyota Corolla hijacked in the area earlier in the day.
“They noticed the suspicious vehicle in the Sweet Home Farm informal settlement area, stopped and searched it and found a 9mm pistol with three rounds in the vehicle. On further investigation, it was discovered that this was the same vehicle that was hijacked within the precinct earlier by a complainant,” Van Wyk added.
The two males were arrested and will be appearing in the Athlone Magistrates Court once charged.
Van Wyk indicated further that three occupants from Delft and Cape Town, aged 19, 33 and 36 were also arrested and detained on charges of possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition on Sunday, November 7.
“During the early morning hours, members from SAPS Bellville were busy with crime prevention patrols in Oakdale when they spotted a suspicious-looking white Toyota in Vlei Street and started following it.
“At the intersection of Robert Sebukwe and Belrail Road the members pulled the vehicle over and search it and found a revolver with ammunition that had been hidden inside the vehicle,” VanWyk mentioned.
The suspects are due to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court once charged.
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Picture SAPS