Western Cape: Police in the Western Cape arrested three suspects in the early hours of this morning for the possession of unlicensed firearms, prohibited firearms, and ammunition, as part of their continued efforts to remove illegal weapons and ensure safety in communities.

Police received information on Tuesday, October 1, that a property on Bellatrix Street, Hopland, Saldanha, was storing illegal firearms and ammunition. With assistance from the West Coast District K9 unit, a 35-year-old male with a lengthy criminal record and a 25-year-old female were apprehended in a caravan parked behind the house at the identified address. The caravan contained a shotgun, a 9mm pistol without its serial number, and ammunition hidden under the bed.

In a separate incident at around 03:30 this morning, Public Order Police members received information about a firearm being stored at a property on Lamoenshoek Street, Mitchells Plain. Upon arrival, the police knocked at the gate, but the suspect attempted to flee upon seeing them. The officers chased and arrested him. The 43-year-old suspect was found with a black pistol without a serial number and 9mm rounds of ammunition.

The three suspects will appear in the Vredendal and Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Courts to face charges related to illegal possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Edited: Anchen Coetzee
Submitted by: Anelisiwe Manyana (SAPS)