Tafelsig drug den raid uncovers four newly acquired firearms

Four brand new firearms and an assortment of ammunition have been found in the roof of a Tafelsig residence in Mitchell's Plain, which operates as a drug den.

The bust comes just days after five people were killed and seven wounded during sporadic shootings.

The Cape Argus understands that the four firearms seized by the Mitchell’s Plain Crime Prevention Unit in Du Toitskloof Street, Tafelsig, were allegedly found in the possession of a Spoilt Brats gang member.

Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, said a 28-year-old man was arrested and is expected to appear in court soon.

“These seizures emanate from the bolstered deployments to prevent further occurrences of gang violence," Pojie said. 

“Members attached to the Mitchell’s Plain Crime Prevention Unit were patrolling in Du Toitskloof Street in Tafelsig at 4:30pm when they saw a suspicious man running into a renowned drug outlet with what the members thought was a parcel of drugs.

“The members in pursuit followed the suspect into the house and commenced with a search.

"The members then found four firearms - three glock 9mm pistols and a CZ pistol, some without serial numbers, and an assortment of ammunition concealed in a transparent bag in the roof of the house.

 “As a result of the discovery, the members arrested the 28-year-old suspect who faces charges related to the illegal possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition."

The case also draws attention to the 15 firearms and eight imitation guns that disappeared from the Mitchell’s Plain police station last year, where five junior officers were dismissed.

In 2017, 15 firearms also vanished from the same police station.

MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said the eradication of illegal firearms was paramount and they noted there was yet be a destruction site for firearms in the province.

“The proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition remains one of the biggest drivers of violent crime and is fueling the ongoing gang violence in the province. Those supplying guns to criminal gangs must be pursued and successfully prosecuted,” she said.

Gun Free South Africa’s research and policy analyst, Claire Taylor, said strong intelligence was needed to reduce guns on the streets.

“First, we need to get illegal firearms off the streets through smart, intelligence-led policing - not ineffective stop-and-search Shanela operations.

"Intelligence-led operations mean police can focus their resources on known trouble spots, track how guns are being trafficked, and systematically break up criminal networks.

"Crucially, every recovered firearm must be traced back to where it came from so we can plug the holes in the system.”

Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum chairperson, Norman Jantjies, said they were concerned about the emergence of new guns and the stolen firearms which were not found.

“The police keep saying they are confiscating but we see very little successful prosecution for firearms,” he said.

“Now these are new guns, either the police have no control or the intelligence is poor.

“The issue of the missing guns is coming up again, that guns that was stolen, it was not found

"Where are those guns?

“Are those guns being used in shootings?”

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