Law Enforcement officers recover numerous firearms
25 August 2025
In the latest incident in Philippi last night, officers recovered an assault rifle - it is the second such weapon recovered by LEAP officers in less than two months. The suspect caught with the latest rifle was one of 273 arrests in the past week. Officers also issued 55 868 fines for various transgressions.
LEAP officers on patrol in Philippi East last night responded to gunshots in the area. They managed to locate a Toyota Quantum thought to be involved in the incident in Luzuko Park, and gave chase. They apprehended one suspect and recovered a rifle and a 9mm pistol. The rest of the occupants managed to flee.
In a similar incident, on 28 June, LEAP officers made two arrests and recovered a loaded assault rifle in Gugulethu - just hours after a mass shooting in the area.
In Mitchells Plain on Saturday, 23 August, LEAP officers received a tip off about a suspect threatening people with a firearm. They responded and arrested a 29-year-old man in possession of two imitation firearms, three live rounds of ammunition and half a mandrax tablet. He was detained at Lentegeur SAPS.
Other confiscations in the past week include a revolver and 27 rounds of ammunition in Hanover Park on Thursday, 21 August and another pistol in Philippi East on Saturday.
‘Every week presents more examples of how deep a crisis we find ourselves facing with illicit firearms. Handguns are problematic enough as it is, but the increased use and confiscation of assault rifles is a nightmare. We cannot sit by and allow this to become our new normal. Something has got to give, and if SAPS is not going to meaningfully increase its resources to find and plug the source or sources of these weapons, then they must give the City the increased powers we've been calling for,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In general enforcement over the past week, Law Enforcement officers arrested 194 suspects and issued 6 260 notices for various transgressions.
Metro Police officers arrested 56 suspects and issued 2 292 fines during weekly patrols.
Traffic officers recorded 47 316 offences, impounded 203 public transport vehicles and executed 1 508 warrants of arrests.
In addition, officers made 23 arrests - 14 for driving under the influence of alcohol, three for reckless and negligent driving and six for other offences.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded 1 510 incidents over the past weekend, including 579 medical incidents of which 78 were cases of assault, 36 domestic violence incidents and 45 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
Emergency incidents can be reported to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) on 021 480 7700.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
