Gang-linked man jailed over Bellville arsenal of guns, grenades and 50 000 Mandrax
CCN Reporter
Bellville:- Marwaan Alexander (49, described as gang-affiliated) was sentenced on 28 August 2026 by the Bellville Regional Court to 25 years’ direct imprisonment.
Western Cape SAPS management welcomed the outcome.
He was arrested on 23 March 2025 (reports from early March 2025 describe the operation occurring around 3–4 March) at a storage unit in Bellville (Bellville South, with a linked facility in Stikland). He was found in possession of a large cache: reports detail approximately 26–27 firearms (including 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 R5 assault rifle, additional assault rifles, 12 9mm pistols, 3 Uzi submachine guns, 4 shotguns, and 2 revolvers), large quantities of ammunition (around 2,500 rounds mentioned in the sentencing statement; counting was ongoing at the time of arrest reports), 6 M26 hand grenades, and about 50,000–50,954 Mandrax tablets.
A second storage unit in Stikland yielded about 2 kg of heroin.
A co-accused, Rushaan de Villiers (a woman, reported age around 41), was also arrested. Sources linked the cache to the Fancy Boys gang. They faced charges under the Firearms Control Act, Explosives Act, and for drug dealing/possession; more charges were expected. Both appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court shortly after arrest (around 5–7 March 2025), with the matter postponed for bail information.
Alexander later abandoned bail and entered a plea agreement with the State.
On sentencing day, he was convicted of aiding and abetting gang activity, possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of prohibited firearms, illegal possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of explosives, and possession of drugs. SAPS specifically praised the Anti-Gang Unit team that made the arrest and the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Elton Logenstein.
This was a significant Anti-Gang Unit / Crime Intelligence operation involving weeks of surveillance. It formed part of broader Western Cape efforts against illegal firearms and drugs linked to gang violence. Contemporary reports (Cape Argus/IOL, News24, SAPS statements, and others from March 2025) covered the bust extensively; Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu and National Commissioner Fannie Masemola also publicly commended the seizures at the time.
As of the available information (the sentencing statement is from today, 28 August 2026), detailed mainstream follow-up articles on the plea and final sentence appear limited so far; coverage may still be emerging. No additional court documents, full plea details, or statements from the co-accused’s case were located in current searches.
CCN (or similar local/community outlets) may carry or expand on the SAPS release.
