Police seize more illegal firearms in Bonteheuwel, Athlone

Western Cape police said on Monday they had made more arrests to rid the streets of firearms in a bid to curb crime and gang violence in the province.

Following arrests in Steenberg and Maitland on Sunday, police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said officers searched a house in Geelhout Street, Bonteheuwel, where they found an illegal pistol with six rounds of ammunition.

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“They arrested a 39-year-old male for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He will appear in the Bishop Lavis magistrates court once charged,” Twigg said.

Twigg said another suspect was arrested in Yellowwood Street, in Bonteheuwel, for the possession of an imitation firearm.

In an unrelated incident, members of the Anti-Gang Unit searched a premises at an informal settlement in Vygieskraal, Athlone.

“During the search the members found a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition and arrested a 30-year-old male for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” he said.

Twigg said the suspect was set to appear in the Athlone magistrate’s court.