SAPS bolsters police deployment at crime hotspots in Cape Town
This is in response to recently registered murder and attempted murder cases, which indicate a spike in sometimes deadly shooting incidents in communities including Mitchells Plain, Bishop Lavis, Philippi, Ravensmead and Elsies River.
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape police say along with other local law enforcement agencies, they're on high alert and determined to restore calm in several identified crime hotspots.
Recently registered murder and attempted murder cases indicate a spike in shooting incidents in communities including Mitchells Plain, Bishop Lavis, Philippi, Ravensmead and Elsies River.
Several people have been wounded or killed in these areas.
In response, the South African Police Service has bolstered deployments in identified hotspots.
The police's Malcolm Pojie said additional deployments in the form of Anti-Gang Unit members, tactical response teams and public order police, among others, have been ordered to execute search and seizures, stop and search operations, roadblocks, raids and tracing operations.
"Recently, capacity at the provincial Anti-Gang Unit was enhanced by 47 members and an additional 100 members from Operation Lockdown II came from other provinces to assist in reducing serious violent crimes in Cape Town.
"In a coordinated manner, armed with intelligence they execute operational actions where it is most required."
In an operation carried out on Monday, officers conducted patrols in Woodlands, Mitchells Plain in order to quell the ongoing gang violence.
They found a suspect in possession of an unlicenced firearm, 16 rounds of ammunition, drugs and cash.
He was arrested and is scheduled to appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates Court on Wednesday.