Communities throughout Cape Town are expressing concern after a video surfaced showing a pen being used as a deadly weapon.
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The video depicts a man standing in an open field, holding a silver pen in his hand. While his face remains obscured, he clearly identifies the weapon as a ‘pen gun’.
Gripping the pen, he dismantles it from the ink chamber, demonstrating how to load his ‘pen gun’ with a single bullet.
He proceeds to illustrate the process of inserting the bullet into the bottom part of the pen and then screwing it on, mimicking the routine action of changing the ink in a ball-point pen.
While reassembling the pen, he clarifies that the weapon is available for purchase at a price of R1 800.
After two unsuccessful attempts to discharge the ‘pen gun,’ it finally fires on the third try with a loud bang, resembling the sound of any other firearm.
It remains uncertain whether this weapon has already circulated on the streets. Nevertheless, the video has been widely shared across various crime groups, prompting calls for residents and parents to remain vigilant.
Alderman JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, informed IOL that he had already notified enforcement agencies to be vigilant and on the lookout.
‘As it has the ability to fire, the possession of this item remains illegal under the Firearms Control Act. I have alerted officers to be on the lookout and we will arrest anyone found in possession of it,’ Smith said.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the spokesperson for Western Cape police, confirmed that police authorities are fully aware of the video.
‘The SAPS is aware of a video of a person discharging ammunition from a pen, however, the origin of the video is still unknown. We appeal to members of the public to refrain from making homemade devices that can cause serious injury and/or death to another person,’ Twigg exclaimed.
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Picture: Screenshot / @_DJMosh / X