A weekend of intensified enforcement activity across the Mother City resulted in dozens of arrests, the confiscation of illegal firearms and ammunition, and the recovery of stolen vehicles.
City enforcement agencies reported a string of coordinated operations that stretched from Crossroads to Philippi East and Mandela Park, where officers intercepted weapons, dismantled criminal operations and responded to hundreds of emergency calls.
The City of Cape Town detailed how Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers made a significant weapons recovery late on Sunday evening, 5 April.
While patrolling near a property believed to have been taken over by gang elements in Crossroads at around 10:30pm, officers spotted a man carrying a bag who fled upon noticing them, abandoning it in the process. Inside, officers discovered multiple firearms, magazines and ammunition, which were later handed over to Philippi East police.
The seized cache included three firearms alongside dozens of rounds of ammunition and empty magazines, items authorities believe could have fuelled further violence if left circulating in local communities.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith reflected on the significance of these recoveries.
‘Every firearm and bullet is potentially a life saved and a crime prevented. While our officers should be lauded for taking guns off our streets on a near daily basis, the harsh reality is that the flood of illicit weapons continues. Added to that is the very low conviction rate for gun possession, mostly due to an under-resourced SAPS and NPA. We will not stop the call for a devolution of investigation and forensic powers.’
Smith also highlighted the importance of coordinated patrols involving multiple security structures.
‘This past weekend, I joined the SANDF, SAPS, and City enforcement agencies for a patrol. It was encouraging to see the working relationship between all three, but we must ensure these patrols are intelligence-led. The challenge will be to ensure that, while we have additional SANDF boots on the ground within the Metro, we utilise them effectively to make a lasting impact by targeting the high-flyers in our communities who are driving the shootings.’
Elsewhere, Metro Police officers acting on a tip-off uncovered what is believed to be a vehicle stripping operation in the Marikana informal settlement.
Three stolen vehicles, already dismantled, were recovered alongside containers filled with vehicle parts. Suspects fled before officers could make arrests, and the recovered items were transported to Bellville South Police Impound for investigation.
In a separate incident that occurred earlier today, officers recovered a hijacked City of Cape Town vehicle abandoned at the corner of Lesley Masina and Masemola streets in Mandela Park, just hours after it had been taken. The vehicle was later processed at Bellville SAPS impound.
Meanwhile, across the metro, enforcement operations led to the arrest of 126 suspects and the issuing of 5 424 fines during routine patrols. Additional policing successes saw another 109 arrests, thousands more fines issued and drug confiscations recorded.
Traffic officers remained equally active, arresting 51 suspects, including 46 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, while documenting more than 47 000 traffic offences. Authorities also impounded 114 public transport vehicles and executed 902 outstanding warrants.
Over the same weekend, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 748 calls for help. Among them were 114 assault-related incidents, 64 domestic violence reports, 53 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents, and 355 noise complaints.
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Picture: Cit of Cape Town
