Patekile: Search for suspects linked to Muizeberg gang-related shootings intensified

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said a search for wanted suspects linked to gang-related shootings in the Muizenberg area has intensified.

Residents from areas including Overcome Heights, Seawinds, and Lavender Hill are experiencing a sharp increase in gun violence recently.

Multiple people have been killed in separate shootings, and police said more boots have been deployed on the ground.

Patekile explained some of the measures they've put in place to combat the violence: "We are locking down the areas, we're doing coordinated searches and looking for the wanted suspects in the area, visiting parolees where we can find them."

Patekile said at least 80 firearms were confiscated in the past week and more are being sought.

"What we found on the Cape Flats, there's quite a number of firearms. The deceased firearms estate, people died a long time ago and they've never applied for licences. We're visiting those houses because we believe those firearms may have been used, some of them in the commission of the crimes."