Cape Town - Police have arrested six men in Plettenberg Bay for the possession of unlicensed firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, drugs and stolen articles, including a police uniform.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 50, were apprehended at a residence in Kwanokuthula.
Police spokesperson Christopher Spies said: “Public Order Police, the George Crime Intelligence and the Eden Cluster Crime Combating Team pounced on the house in Nkqubela Street earlier this week.
“They proceeded with a search of the premises and found four handguns, 122 rounds of ammunition, cellphones, a flat-screen television, computer screen, housebreaking implements and 22 grams of Tik valued at R20 000. Police also seized police uniform pieces inside the main bedroom of the house.”
“The suspects, six men, were immediately taken into police custody and are facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs, possession of housebreaking implements and possession of suspected stolen goods,” said Spies.
Western Cape Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, has lauded the police units involved in the operation. He thanked them for their vigilance and efforts to rid local communities of illicit firearms and ammunition.
Meanwhile, in the metro, the Law Enforcement Department is beaming with pride after almost doubling its arrest record compared to its stats last year.
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the increase in arrests reflected the City’s investment in its Law Enforcement Department over the past five years.
“The statistics are testament to the hard work of our staff, under tremendously difficult circumstances. In the last financial year, Law Enforcement staff made 2 968 arrests.
“A breakdown of our arrests includes serious crime categories, like murder, assault, sexual assault, firearm-related and cable theft.
“Our department has increased its contribution to crime-fighting efforts, with notable increases in arrests over the last five years.
“This demonstrates the outcomes of the investments in training, the partnership with international law enforcement agencies, and the training and expertise they offered, the investment in technology, improved command and control through effective senior management, and the measures introduced to achieve transparency and accountability,” said Smith.