Cape Town – A suspect was arrested in Windermere on Sunday after allegedly being found in possession of an illegal firearm with its serial number removed, as the City of Cape Town warns of escalating gang violence linked to shifting criminal power dynamics.
According to the City’s MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, law enforcement officers responded to reports of gunfire in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“Upon arrival, a suspicious male was observed and attempted to flee the scene. Officers gave chase, apprehending the suspect. In his possession, they found a firearm with its serial number removed,” Smith said.
The suspect was arrested and handed over to Kensington SAPS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Smith said the incident comes amid a broader surge in violence across several communities, which he attributed to growing gang activity.
“The increased violence across numerous communities is attributed to the massive growth in gang activity caused by the leadership vacuum left behind following the arrest of several key figures,” he said.
He added that the breakdown of established gang hierarchies has led to increased instability.
“The struggle for operating turf has resulted in the previously structured hierarchy being fragmented into over an estimated 180 individual gang groupings.”
Smith also pointed to an influx of drugs and firearms fuelling the violence, and criticised the South African Police Service (SAPS) for failing to act on repeated calls for intervention.
“With an increased supply of drugs and firearms into these groupings, a dedicated, effective investigative task team was urgently called for from SAPS. These calls were repeatedly ignored,” he said.
He further alleged that findings emerging from the Madlanga Commission support concerns about high-level involvement in organised crime.
“The information now arising from the Madlanga Commission confirms our previous suspicion raised, that ‘top policing and political structures are involved’ and profiteering within these realms of organised crime,” Smith said.
Despite this, Smith said the City remains committed to tackling crime, insisting investigations would be pursued without fear or favour.
“Our investigations and resulting prosecution will be made without prejudice, no matter how high up the chain it may lead. No fear. No favour,” he said.
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Picture: Facebook/JP Smith
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
