Reporter – George C April
Western Cape:- Continued high-impact police operations across the Western Cape, led to several arrests this weekend, with suspects appearing in court today for separate crimes.
It involving illegal firearms, and the possession of abalone worth millions of rands.
In Primrose Park, an intelligence-driven operation conducted by members of Operation Lockdown III and the Endangered Species K9 Unit resulted in the arrest of two foreign nationals, a Chinese and a Malawian citizen. They were arrested for the possession of 6,400 units of abalone on Friday, 07 November 2025.
Police discovered a drying facility on the premises, where abalone with an estimated street value of R3.52 million was seized, along with drying equipment and gas cylinders. The suspects appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today, 10 November 2025, on charges related to the illegal possession and processing of abalone.
Meanwhile, in Worcester, members of the local SAPS conducted stop-and-search operations in Bless Hoender Street, Avian Park in the early hours of Saturday, 08 November 2025. Officers noticed a man carrying a bag who attempted to flee upon their approach. The 43-year-old suspect was apprehended, and a revolver with seven rounds of ammunition was found in his possession. He appeared in the Worcester Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In a separate incident, Cloetesville SAPS members acted on information about an illegal firearm at a residence in Botmaskop, Idas Valley. On arrival, the suspect attempted to evade arrest by jumping over a fence, but police discovered a 9mm firearm without a serial number, a shotgun barrel, and various rounds of ammunition inside the house. The investigation into this case is ongoing.
These coordinated efforts form part of the Western Cape Police’s ongoing commitment to remove illegal weapons from communities and clamp down on environmental and organised crimes.
#EnviroCrimes#GunsOffTheStreets #SaferCommunities #WesternCape
