Tag: illegal firearms

Western Cape records promising reductions in serious crime

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Western Cape recorded declines in several serious and violent crime categories during the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year.

The figures were released by Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi, marking his first crime statistics briefing since taking over the provincial SAPS.

Contact crime decreased by 6.3%, while murder fell by 6.7%. Carjacking declined by 14.6%, and house robbery dropped by 15%.

Operation Prosper, which targets high-crime police stations across the province, also delivered positive results. Contact crime at these stations fell by 12.1%, while murder decreased by 16.8%.

Lieutenant-General Dyantyi welcomed the reductions, saying crime statistics are an important tool for measuring police performance, identifying trends and adapting policing strategies.

He credited SAPS members for their hard work and dedication, while also acknowledging his predecessor, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, who led the provincial police during the period under review.

However, Dyantyi warned that significant challenges remain.

Rape increased by 3.8%, while sexual assault rose by 5.7%. He said gender-based violence remains a priority, with SAPS continuing to strengthen its response to crimes against women and children.

The fight against illegal firearms will also remain a key focus, with police targeting the possession and use of illegal firearms and working to remove them from circulation.

Dyantyi said the ultimate goal is to reduce crime, improve policing and create safer communities across the Western Cape.

SAPS Western Cape will continue working with communities and law-enforcement partners in the fight against crime.

Police Captain Killed in Knysna Shootout During Murder Investigation

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Western Cape police are reeling following the death of a police captain who was killed during a shootout with a suspect in Knysna in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 26 August 2026).

The 50-year-old captain, attached to the Provincial Tactical Response Team, was deployed to the area as part of ongoing investigations into the murder of Knysna councillor and former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, as well as two other fatal shooting incidents reported last week.

At the time of the incident, an integrated SAPS team was conducting an operation at the Sewende Laan informal settlement on Uniondale Road, following up on information relating to illegal firearms.

A shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of the police captain and a 38-year-old suspect. Two firearms were recovered from the suspect.

Psychosocial support is being provided to members of the SAPS team who were at the scene, as well as to the captain's colleagues in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, three suspects have already appeared in court in connection with Tsengwa's murder, while investigations into the killings of Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo remain ongoing.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi has conveyed her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen police officer.

Over 15,700 Suspects Arrested in Nationwide SAPS Crime Crackdown

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
More than 15,700 suspects have been arrested during the latest nationwide Operation Shanela II crime-fighting campaign, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced.

Police said 15,798 suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted with other law enforcement agencies and government departments between 27 July and 2 August 2026.

Among those arrested were 329 alleged drug dealers and 3,242 people found in possession of illegal drugs.

A major breakthrough came on 31 July when police seized cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and was intercepted by SAPS, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation personnel.

During the week-long operation, police also confiscated 153 illegal firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of handgun recoveries (29), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (27) and the Western Cape (23).

Officers also recovered 86 stolen or hijacked vehicles.

In Johannesburg's CBD, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a multi-agency raid that uncovered counterfeit goods worth more than R5 million. Eight people were also arrested for immigration-related offences following on-site inspections by the Department of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, a separate series of raids carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit between 27 and 30 July resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R27 million across Tshwane, Johannesburg, the West Rand and Sedibeng.

In the Eastern Cape, four suspects were arrested following an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Jeffreys Bay on 2 August.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Mthunzini High Court sentenced five convicted criminals to two life sentences plus an additional 100 years for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The convictions relate to a deadly robbery in KwaNongoma in November 2022.

In Mpumalanga, an intelligence-led operation by the Middelburg Flying Squad led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the recovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux GD6 and stolen mining equipment.

In the North West, police arrested 27-year-old Lesotho national Thabiso Sholo Potsoko in connection with the Kanana tavern mass shooting, in which five people were killed and five others injured. The arrest followed a coordinated intelligence-driven operation involving several specialised police units.

In the Western Cape, Operation Prosper officers arrested two suspects during separate drug busts in crime hotspot areas. Police confiscated 139 mandrax tablets, 126 heroin straws and 61 packets of crystal meth from one suspect, while a second raid in Khayelitsha's New Monwabisi informal settlement uncovered additional crystal meth and mandrax tablets, leading to another arrest.

SAPS said the nationwide operations remain focused on removing dangerous criminals, illegal firearms, drugs and counterfeit goods from communities while strengthening public safety across South Africa.
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