De ja vu: domestic violence complaint leads to illegal firearm
02 March 2026
On Sunday, 23 February, Metro Police officers recovered an illegal ammunition cache after responding to a domestic violence complaint. Exactly a week later, they recovered an illegal firearm and ammunition in response to yet another domestic violence complaint. The suspect was one of 431 arrests by the City’s enforcement agencies in the past week. Officers also issued 69 333 fines.
On Sunday, 1 March 2026, Metro Police officers arrested a 35-year-old suspect in Heideveld for contravening the Domestic Violence Act.
While booking him in at the police station, officers received information about an unlicensed firearm at the suspect’s residence – they responded, and were granted permission to conduct a search, finding a Glock Pistol, extended magazine, two standard magazines, 41 live rounds of ammunition and a taser.
It was later confirmed that the firearm had been reported stolen in Port Shepstone in December.
A week ago, in Lentegeur, officers responding to a domestic violence complaint recovered more than 230 rounds of illegal ammunition for various calibre weapons as well as two grenade casings.
‘Our Metro Police Department responds to hundreds of domestic violence complaints every year. In this financial year so far, they’ve made 76 arrests in terms of the Domestic Violence Act. These most recent arrests highlight once again the potential danger that victims of domestic violence are exposed to, but it also underscores the importance of responsive policing. Not only did our staff remove very dangerous weapons from the streets, but they also gave investigators a potential foothold into far more murky criminal dealings,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement efforts over the past week,
Metro Police officers made 126 arrests and issued 4 705 notices.
Law Enforcement Officers made 253 arrests and issued 11 517 notices.
On Sunday, 1 March, officers were tipped off about drugs on a property in Eindhoven, Delft – they recovered 910 mandrax tablets buried in the sand beneath a shack in the backyard.
In Newfields Village on the same day, officers recovered a pistol that was booked in at Philippi SAPS as abandoned.
Late on Sunday evening, a 24-year-old man was arrested in Hanover Park for the possession of a revolver and five rounds of ammunition.
Traffic Officers recorded 52 arrests, of which 40 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, four for reckless/negligent driving and eight for other offences. They also recorded 53 111 offences, impounded 171 public transport vehicles and executed 2 280 warrants.
The
Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 376 calls for assistance this past weekend. Of the calls received, 90 were assault cases, 40 domestic violence cases as well as 49 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents.
The public is reminded to report emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.
Caption: Some of the illegal firearms and drugs confiscated by City enforcement agencies in the past week
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
