The South African Police Service (SAPS) has implemented targeted operations to combat criminal activities in the country. One key strategy the SAPS employs is deploying officers to hotspot areas to detect and prevent illegal activities. This approach has successfully recovered firearms and apprehended criminals in various parts of the country.
Targeted Patrols in Gqeberha
On the night of April 15, 2023, and the early hours of April 16, 2023, the SAPS Kwazakele Crime Prevention Unit, Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), and SAPS Bethelsdorp members conducted targeted patrols in Gqeberha. The results of these interventions were the recovery of three firearms and the arrest of a suspect.
Recovery of Firearms
During the targeted patrols, the SAPS Kwazakele Crime Prevention Unit officers patrolled Maronga Street in Kwazakele when they encountered a group of unknown males walking in the street. Upon searching them, the officers discovered a firearm with two rounds of ammunition in a sling bag that one of the males carried. The 24-year-old male was arrested and detained for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
In a joint effort by the AGU and SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention members, two firearms were recovered in separate incidents in the northern areas of Gqeberha. The first recovery occurred when the team patrolled one of Arcadia’s hotspot streets. They noticed two males walking in Aandblom Street and, upon seeing police presence, the two men suddenly ran into a yard and disappeared. The members chased after them and recovered a revolver and five rounds of ammunition in the backyard of one of the houses. The serial number was tampered with, and an inquiry docket was opened for investigation.
The second recovery occurred when AGU and SAPS Bethelsdorp members noticed three males walking on Egypt Street in Timothy Valley. As the males split up and ran off in different directions, one male disposed of a firearm (serial number fled off) with eight rounds of ammunition. An inquiry docket was opened for investigation.
Ballistic Analysis
All recovered firearms will undergo ballistic analysis to determine if there are any connections to other crimes committed in the country.
Effectiveness of SAPS Efforts
These targeted operations demonstrate the effectiveness of the SAPS’s efforts to reduce severe crimes and create a safer community. In addition, the rapid response of the SAPS Kwazakele Crime Prevention Unit and the collective efforts of the AGU and SAPS Bethelsdorp members prevented the possibility of further harm and contributed to a safer environment.
