Community policing organisations have called on authorities to build a watertight case against the suspects arrested in connection with the burglary at the SAPS Faure base.
Police arrested two men and a women and confirmed a number of stolen items had been recovered.
Among the items stolen were a gas canister launcher, stun grenades, smoke grenades, rubber rounds and ammunition belts.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said the arrests came after “an extensive pursuit”.
“An extensive pursuit for the suspects responsible for the burglary at the SAPS Public Order police base in Faure, which was discovered a week ago, led to the arrest of two male suspects aged 29 and 31 and a female suspect aged 44.
“Kleinvlei detectives joined forces with the Anti-Gang Unit to probe the circumstances surrounding a brazen incident where non-lethal ammunition and a gas canister launcher were stolen. The investigation led the team to various locations in and around Kleinvlei during the course of (Monday) night where the suspects were apprehended at separate addresses.
The two men face charges for housebreaking and theft, while the female will be charged with possession of stolen goods and unlicensed ammunition,” said Traut.
He said the first breakthrough came on Sunday when the gas canister launcher and some of the ammunition were discovered abandoned next to Baden Powell Drive.
“During (Monday) night’s search operation, more ammunition was seized. A small quantity of ammunition is yet to be recovered,” said Traut.
The suspects will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once charged.
Grassy Park Community Policing Forum spokesperson Philip Bam said they want a successful prosecution of the suspects.
“We sincerely hope that a watertight case will be prepared to ensure successful prosecution. While we welcome the arrests, we want to urge SAPS to rather be proactive than looking good after the act. The major concern is that not enough is being done proactively to ensure the security of such facilities. There should be maximum security, especially in the light of gun violence besetting our communities.
“It is unthinkable that a place where firearms and ammunition are stored could be left vulnerable. Such places must be declared points of national security and afforded the highest protection. It is common knowledge that our communities are struggling with the impact of uncontrolled firearm availability on our streets,” said Bam.
Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs welcomed the arrests. “We (applaud) the agencies for working non-stop on this matter to ensure arrests had been effected.”
He called on police to leave no stone unturned in uncovering how the theft occurred.
Cape Times