Cape Town - Police have made a breakthrough after the theft of heavy-artillery military weapons, arresting two people in Kuils River.
The intelligence-driven investigation comprised several special police units, including criminal intelligence and the bomb squad.
On Wednesday, they arrested two men, believed to be linked to the 28s prison gang, outside the Zevenwacht Mall in Kuils River. In a dramatic swoop, two minibuses filled with police officers blocked a white Toyota at one of the mall’s gates.
A search of the vehicle yielded weapons including an RPG-7(rocket-propelled grenade launcher) and a civilian assault rifle with a telescope, magazine and 16 rounds.
On Thursday, police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the intelligence-driven operation, saying two men, aged 25 and 28, were arrested for “possessing heavy armament of military origin”.
A witness saw two minibuses blocking a Toyota and two young men lying face down in the road, their hands bound with cable ties under the watch of a number of police officers.
Traffic was diverted from the scene until 2am on Thursday while the special units continued their investigation.
A crime intelligence officer said the probe started about three weeks ago and more arrests were expected soon.
Less than a month ago Dillon Sewkumar, 18, Duncan Gouvias, 21, and Karabo Ramokgopa, 19, were arrested after the SA Navy’s armaments depot in Simon’s Town was broken into. They face a number of charges, including possession of prohibited firearms and contravening the Explosives Act.
The officer, who cannot be named, said police were also investigating a link between the two men arrested on Wednesday and a weapons cache found buried at Kleinvlei cemetery last week. The officer said gangs are increasingly using graveyards as hiding and meeting places.
There are no official reports of heavy military weapons being used in gang wars in the city. The officer said gangs are increasingly stockpiling heavy weapons, not necessarily to use them but as a show of force to gain respect and instil fear in their rivals.
He said the weapons recovered were similar to those used in cross-border wars pre-1994. The suspects were due to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of possession of prohibited armaments.
* Meanwhile Cape Town businessman Irshaad Laher is fighting the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in the Western Cape High Court to prevent them from freezing R9 million of his assets. The State has already frozen assets worth R4m. The new application came after reports that Laher had sold his interest in food franchises in Athlone and Ottery.
The NPA claims he invested in the companies using money he acquired from the sale of illegal weapons to gangsters.
Laher was arrested two months ago and is allegedly linked to illegal gun running after convicted former police colonel Christiaan Lodewyk Prinsloo identified him as his middle man to gangs on the Cape Flats.
Laher is alleged to have made R9m selling illegal guns to gangs. His lawyer, William King, argued the State did not follow proper procedure in applying for the restraint order, and the matter was unfair and unconstitutional.
Senior State attorney Madoda Titus said all documentation was presented, including affidavits they stated could not be attached as it might have compromised the investigations.
High Court Judge Elizabeth Baartman reserved judgment.
Cape Times