In Manenberg.
Reporter – Felicity Jooste
CAPE TOWN:- Police efforts to clamp down on illegal firearms and violent crime paid off on Tuesday, 02 December 2025, when members of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) made abreakthrough in Manenberg.
Officers executed a search operation at a residence in Wendy Street as part of ongoing operations aimed at removing firearms from criminal hands and restoring safety in gang-affected communities.
During the search, police discovered a CZ 75 pistol with 20 rounds of ammunition hidden inside the premises. A 29-year-old man was arrested on the spot and will face charges relating to the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Preliminary checks during the arrest revealed that the suspect is also linked to a murder case reported in November 2025 – a development authorities believe may bring new traction to the investigation.
Police say the removal of illegal firearms is essential in their fight against violent crime, as guns continue to play a leading role in murders, robberies, and gang-related shootings across the Cape Flats. The AGU, which has been intensifying patrols and targeted operations ahead of the festive season, confirmed that the seized firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was used in other crimes.
Community members in Manenberg have welcomed the arrest, saying ongoing shootings have left residents living in fear, particularly during late evenings and early mornings when gang violence often erupts without warning. Parents expressed constant worry for their children’s safety, adding that every illegal firearm removed from the streets feels like a step toward restoring peace.
Police spokespersons reiterated their commitment to ensuring safer neighbourhoods and encouraged residents to continue reporting crime anonymously through SAPS Crime Stop or local stations.
The arrested suspect is expected to appear soon in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on charges related to the firearm seizure, as well as the outstanding murder case.
Authorities say such operations will continue, as part of their strategy to disrupt organised crime and curb the circulation of illegal firearms that fuel violence in communities.
