Johannesburg: The Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) in the Western Cape continues to intensify efforts to curb the circulation of illegal firearms with members confiscating guns in Manenberg and the surrounding areas this week.
According to South African Government News Agency, on 30 October 2025 at 21:50, members were deployed in Manenberg for ongoing gang shootings. While conducting patrols, they received information of a firearm at a residence in Viva Street, Manenberg. The members proceeded to this address and upon arrival, they found a 35-year-old male at the premises. The male took the members inside the yard and pointed out where he kept a .38 special revolver and four rounds of ammunition hidden, the South African Police Service said in a statement. The suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
In an unrelated matter on the same day at 22:55, members received and acted on intelligence on firearms at a premises at Ray Alexander Close, Tambo Village, Manenberg. Upon their arrival, they found a 44-year-old male who pointed out to the members where he kept his firearms, a Taurus 9mm and a Bulstorm 9mm and a 9mm extended magazine. He was arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and taken to Manenberg SAPS for further investigation and processing, the police said.
On Friday at 19:00, the members were deployed in Manenberg where they followed up on information of where a wanted suspect was hiding at a premises in Elbe Street. They operationalized the information received and upon their arrival at the premises, they found and arrested the 21-year-old suspect who is a member of a local gang. Upon searching him, he was found to be in possession of a black 9mm short Beretta and 21 9mm rounds of ammunition.
At 20:15, the members received information of the whereabouts of another wanted suspect. They followed up the information received and apprehended the suspect at a residence in Cyclone Street. Upon questioning the suspect, he informed the members that he gave the firearm to a female at a residence in Elsieskraal Street for safekeeping. The members actioned the information received and at the mentioned address, the 38-year-old female pointed out to where she was hiding the firearm. She was arrested for the illegal possession of a prohibited firearm, a 9mm Beretta Z88, a 9mm extended magazine and 70 9mm rounds of ammunition. Both suspects are affiliated to a local gang and were taken to Manenberg SAPS for further investigation and processing.
According to the police, the suspects are due to make their respective court appearances in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday for their respective charges. Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding communities through the continued removal of illegal firearms from circulation. He further commended the members involved. ‘Every firearm removed from the hands of criminals means a life potentially saved. These operations demonstrate our dedication to reducing violent crime and ensuring that communities feel safe and protected,’ Patekile said.