In the relentless fight against illegal firearms and violence in the city, Cape Town’s Metro Police have had a busy week, apprehending suspects and confiscating firearms across various communities.
According to Alderman JP Smith, in just seven days, nine firearms have been taken off the streets.
Metro Police patrolling Manenberg apprehended a suspect and seized a firearm along with 15 rounds of ammunition. While executing arrest warrants in Mfuleni, officers caught a suspect attempting to escape. In his possession was a 9mm Norinco pistol with six rounds of ammunition and another four rounds of .45 ammo were discovered inside the premises.
For the full scope of incidents from this week, read Alderman JP Smith’s post below:
These recent seizures emphasise the pressing need for effective investigation and prosecution of firearm-related crimes.
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While the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has promised an influx of new SAPS recruits to the province, seasoned investigators and a fully capacitated forensic lab are equally essential to expedite the processing of ballistic reports and bring suspects to trial promptly.
The City is ready and willing to contribute to solving the problem by completing criminal investigations, potentially leading to a significant reduction in the workload of SAPS investigators and a higher prosecution rate for violent offenders.
The alarming statistic that less than 2% of suspects arrested for firearm-related crimes are successfully prosecuted underscores the urgency of action.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook