THREE VAS FOR MURDERS ON THE CAPE FLATS

THE Western Cape’s Anti Gang Unit (AGU) made some progress in their fight against gangsterism at the weekend, as they descended on different locations on the Cape Flats to arrest three suspects for murder and attempted murder cases. 

Armed with warrants of arrest, the cops, on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, cornered suspects in Manenberg, Athlone and Mitchells Plain as part of ongoing investigations into shooting incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2025. 

The shootings are believed to be related to gang fights. 

According to South African Police Service (SAPS), the latest of the incidents took place outside Athlone Court earlier this month. 

Spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa explained: “The latest of the shooting incidents occurred outside the Athlone court on 3 December where a person was killed. 

“Not far from the court in Kew Town another man was shot and wounded minutes later.

“The arrested suspects, aged 28, 36 and 38 face attempted murder, murder and possession of illegal firearm charges as well as contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).

“With the investigations gaining momentum, additional charges could be added. 

“The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain and Athlone courts on Monday, 29 December 2025.” 

Potelwa added of the operation: “The execution of the operation forms part of a comprehensive plan by the South African Police Service in the Western Cape to curb ongoing gang activity and restore order in communities that are plagued by gang violence within the City of Cape Town. 

“With other law enforcement agencies, the SAPS continues with targeted operations at identified hotspots where numerous illegal firearms arms have been confiscated and arrests effected. Illegal firearms remain the weapon of choice in gang related shootings occurring on the Cape Flats.

“A week ago SAPS boots on the ground deployments received much-needed boost with the deployment of approximately 450 additional constables that  completed their basic training at SAPS academies in November. 

“The tracing of wanted suspects  forms part of efforts to effectively address gang violence and its manifestations.”