CAPE TOWN – On Thursday, 14 April 2022, at about 23h30, members of the Provincial Extortion Task Team received information about a taxi owner who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm at a premises in Kupiso Street Bloekombos, Kraaifontein. Members reacted swiftly, and upon arrival at the suspect’s home, members conducted a search and found one Norinco Star pistol of which the serial number was removed, and six 9mm rounds.

The 30-year-old suspect was arrested on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition, and was detained at Kraaifontein SAPS. He will appear in court once charged.

In an unrelated matter, members attached to Cape Town Central SAPS acted on information about a suspect in an extortion and theft case who was spotted at the bus terminus opposite Strand Street, Cape Town. According to reports earlier during the week the complainant was accosted by taxi drivers operating at the bus terminus who threatened and demanded R500 from the complainant. The taxi drivers threatened to impound the vehicle if he does not comply, but when they searched the complainant they found him to be without money. Thereafter they took his cellphone stating they will release it back to him once he provides the R500.

On 14 April 2022, at about 22:15, the information was followed up and the suspect was positively identified and arrested. He will appear in court once charged.

In an unrelated matter a suspect was arrested in Wesbank for the possession of a prohibited firearm being a 357 magnum revolver and 13 .38 rounds of ammunition. He was also found to be in possession of drugs (tik).

On 14 April 2022, at 16:30, Malmesbury police attended to a complaint at the Chatsworth informal settlement and upon arrival at the complainant’s home he was apprehensive to let the members into his home.

When the members entered the home, they tried to close the front door but due to a firearm behind the door it could not close properly. The members inspected the rifle and saw that the serial number has been removed. The members requested to peruse the firearm licence, but the home owner could not provide it and the 52-year-old suspect was arrested.

He will appear in the Malmesbury Magistrate’s court soon on a charge of possession of illegal firearm.

Source: South African Police Service