Law enforcement agencies across the City of Cape Town ramped up operations during the Easter long weekend, seizing illegal firearms and ammunition, recovering stolen vehicles and arresting hundreds of suspects in a wide-ranging safety crackdown.
Law Enforcement Advancement Plan officers confiscated a cache of weapons in Crossroads on Sunday night after a suspect fled and dropped a bag. Inside, officers found three firearms, multiple empty magazines and a large quantity of ammunition, which were handed over to Philippi East police.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said removing illegal firearms from communities remains critical in reducing violence.
“Every firearm and bullet is potentially a life saved and a crime prevented. While our officers should be lauded for taking guns off our streets on a near daily basis, the harsh reality is that the flood of illicit weapons continues,” he said.
Smith also raised concerns about low conviction rates for illegal gun possession, attributing this to resource constraints.
He stressed the need for more targeted policing, saying: “It was encouraging to see the working relationship between all three, but we must ensure these patrols are intelligence-led to make a lasting impact by targeting the high-flyers in our communities who are driving the shootings.”
In a separate operation, Metro Police uncovered a suspected chop shop in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East, recovering three stripped vehicles and containers filled with car parts. Suspects fled as officers moved in.
Officers also recovered a hijacked City of Cape Town vehicle just hours after it was taken earlier on Tuesday.
City-wide enforcement efforts resulted in 126 arrests and more than 5,400 fines issued, while traffic officers recorded over 47,000 offences and arrested 46 motorists for driving under the influence.
Authorities also impounded more than 100 public transport vehicles and executed hundreds of outstanding warrants.
The intensified operations formed part of broader Easter safety measures across the province, with Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku confirming a zero-tolerance approach on the roads.
“We are entering one of the busiest periods on our calendar. I am pleased to see that our Provincial Traffic Services have already moved into a high-visibility, zero-tolerance approach,” he said.
At the N1 Huguenot Toll Plaza, hundreds of vehicles were stopped and checked, with some declared unroadworthy.
At the same time, Operation Exodus at the Joe Gqabi Public Transport Interchange provided safety checks for long-distance taxis and buses, supported by drone monitoring.
“This is a high-risk period on our roads. Through Operation Exodus, we are working with the public transport sector to prevent crashes and keep passengers safe,” Sileku said.
He urged motorists to remain responsible during the remainder of the holiday period.
Authorities say coordinated enforcement operations will continue as part of efforts to maintain safety on the roads and in communities throughout the Easter period.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za