Cape Town intensifies efforts against gun crime with surge in arrests and firearm recoveries

Arrests by the City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies surged last week as officers intensified operations against illegal firearms, uncovering weapons concealed in wheelie bins and buried beneath informal structures.

A total of 338 arrests were made during the reporting period — a sharp rise from 241 the previous week, while at least five firearms were recovered across the city. Among the most striking finds was a revolver stashed underground beneath a shack in District Six, and a loaded pistol dumped in a wheelie bin in Hanover Park.

The District Six recovery followed a tip-off on January 11, when Freeway Management System camera operators alerted Metro Police to suspicious behaviour behind an informal structure. Initial searches yielded nothing, but with assistance from a South African Police Service K9 unit, officers uncovered a .38 special revolver and four rounds of live ammunition hidden beneath the structure. Six suspects were arrested.

In Hanover Park, LEAP officers responded to two separate shooting-related incidents on Saturday. During the first, at 8.32am, officers found a 9mm pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition discarded in a wheelie bin while canvassing the area. Later that evening, at 7.55pm, officers responding to reports of shots fired arrested a 41-year-old man found in possession of a revolver and live rounds.

Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the recoveries underscored both progress and persistent challenges.

“It’s a new year, but we continue to face many of the same challenges around gun violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms in our city. Every weapon confiscated is potentially a crime, or several crimes prevented and lives saved,” Smith said.

“But the same question remains – when will we see concrete steps in identifying and shutting down the illegal firearm supply lines that contribute to the ongoing terror in so many of our communities?”

Beyond firearm operations, Metro Police made 97 arrests, including 51 for drug possession, and issued 2 881 traffic and by-law fines. Law Enforcement officers recorded 208 arrests and issued 10 786 notices.

On the roads, Traffic officers logged 35 954 offences, impounded 105 public transport vehicles, and executed 1 138 warrants of arrest. A further 33 arrests were made, including 23 for driving under the influence, four for reckless and negligent driving, and six for other offences.

The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre reported 1 562 calls for assistance over the weekend, including 529 medical calls, 66 assaults, 38 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, 207 noise complaints, and 38 cases of domestic violence.

City officials said enforcement operations would continue as part of a sustained effort to remove illegal firearms from communities and disrupt violent crime.

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Cape Argus