Safer Festive Season operations are intended to ensure that our communities can enjoy a peaceful and safe holiday period therefore every effort must be made in realising this vision. There will be maximum police deployment and high visibility in hotspot areas thus making it difficult for criminals.
On Sunday, 6 December 2020, at about 13:40 SAPS Gelvandale members performing festive season duties were patrolling in Stemela Street in Korsten when they noticed two groups of males arguing with each other. On stopping and investigating the commotion, the males were searched and a .22 revolver was found on a 27 year old. The firearm is not reported stolen and efforts will be made by the investigating officer to trace the owner. The firearm will be sent to ballistics for further analysis.
The suspect is a known gang member and is detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will appear in the Gelvandale magistrates’ court on Monday, 7 December 2020.
In another unrelated incident, at about 14:20 SAPS Mount Road Crime Prevention Unit members were patrolling a shopping centre in Cape Road when they spotted three males busy tampering on doors of motor vehicles. When the males saw the police vehicle, they split up and started running. Two suspects, both 20 years old were arrested. One suspect was found in possession of a 9mm pistol. The serial number has been filed off. He is detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and attempted theft out of motor vehicle while the other suspect is detained on a charge of attempted theft out of motor vehicle. The other suspect got away. They are expected to appear in court soon.
Police are urging drivers to ensure that their vehicles are properly locked when alighting. Never activate your remote alarm while walking away from the vehicle. Always double check by manually checking that the doors are locked. During this time of the year, the ‘remote jammer’ criminals are always lurking in busy parking lots.
NEVER leave valuables exposed in the vehicle. Shopping centre security officials are urged to take note of suspicious males lingering in the parking areas. Always contact the police immediately when suspicious vehicles or persons are in the parking bays or among cars.
Acting Mount Road Cluster Commander, Brig Thandsiwa Kupiso are warning criminals and lawbreakers that that a zero tolerance approach is adopted during this festive season. “Our men and women in blue are already tightening the grip on criminals during this festive season. I urge the communities to share information and let us support each other in the fight against crime during this period and beyond by contacting Crime Stop 08600 10111 or Crime Line SMS 32211.
The MySAPS app is also available for South African citizens to download onto their smartphones from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store,’ added Brig Kupiso.
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