A small consignment of unlicensed guns with links to KZN were seized by police in Cape Town

Police in the Western Cape have arrested eight suspects after confiscating a consignment of firearms from KwaZulu-Natal in a Bellville flat yesterday morning. 

Members of the Provincial Operational Coordination Combat Team conducted an intelligence-driven operation at the flat during the early morning hours. 

The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, said several firearms were seized. 

“According to preliminary information, the firearms had been transported from KwaZulu-Natal to Cape Town. During the search, the members seized six AK-47 rifles and eight 9mm pistols with ammunition. The suspects were unable to produce valid firearm licences or permits for the weapons,” Traut said. 

He said as a result, eight men were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and once charged, they will appear in court. 

“They are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court once they have been formally charged,” Traut confirmed. 

Western Cape police management commended the members for their dedication and swift action, which led to this breakthrough. 

“The removal of these firearms from the streets has undoubtedly prevented them from being used in the commission of serious crimes, and this success highlights the commitment of SAPS to ensuring safer communities,” Traut said. 

Meanwhile Transnet has announced the arrest of 17 suspects in separate incidents for vandalism and the theft of essential infrastructure across their network.

The suspects were arrested between September 9 and 10. 

“These arrests demonstrate our strong resolve in curbing the prevalence of vandalism and essential infrastructure theft within our network. It is also indicative that our focused approach towards enhancing our stakeholder collaboration and holding our security service providers to a higher performance standard is beginning to yield positive results,” said Transnet group chief executive Michelle Phillips. 

The arrests included an incident in KZN, on September 9, where a train at Ladysmith Station in Ladysmith was targeted while awaiting changeover into Danskraal Yard. The suspects cut a seal on a wagon carrying vehicles. One suspect was arrested after attempting to steal a spare wheel and accessories.