Police in the Western Cape have arrested two suspects in separate incidents involving illegal firearms, as law enforcement agencies ramp up efforts to curb gun-related crimes in the province.
According to the SAPS, the latest operations highlight ongoing concerns over the proliferation of unlicensed weapons and the failure of some legal owners to properly secure their firearms.
In the first incident, officers from the Muizenberg SAPS were investigating a murder scene in the early hours of Tuesday, 01 April 2025, when they noticed suspicious activity nearby. “Members carefully approached the area where they saw a person hiding,” said police in a statement. The suspect, apprehended in Mountain Road, Overcome Heights, was found with a 9mm pistol lacking a serial number and four rounds of ammunition.
Forensic tests were conducted on the suspect by the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and the firearm will undergo ballistic analysis to determine if it was used in other crimes. The accused is set to appear in the Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 02 April 2025, facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Authorities warn legal gun owners to secure weapons
In a separate case on Monday evening, Grassy Park SAPS responded to reports of gunfire in Lotus River, Strandfontein Road. Witnesses informed officers that a fight had broken out in the street, during which a suspect allegedly fired two shots. Police later arrested a 38-year-old man in possession of an Amadeo Rossie revolver and nine rounds of ammunition.
Investigations revealed that the firearm legally belonged to the suspect’s father, raising questions about whether proper storage protocols were followed. “The father’s competency to possess a firearm will be investigated,” authorities confirmed. The suspect will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
These arrests come amid a broader police campaign targeting illegal firearms, which have been linked to rising violent crimes in the Western Cape. Provincial police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk urged the public to report suspicious activities. “Community cooperation is crucial in removing illegal guns from our streets,” he said.
Gun control activists have long criticized lax enforcement of firearm storage laws, arguing that stolen legal weapons often end up in criminal hands. “Every unsecured firearm is a potential crime weapon,” said advocacy group Gun Free South Africa in a recent statement.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has encouraged residents to report illegal firearms via Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
