WESTERN CAPE: 07 JUNE 2023 - Police in Philippi are clamping down on criminals and their criminal activities following a spade of sporadic shooting incidents in Hanover Park. Increased visibility and saturated patrols within identified hotspot areas are at the order of the day. This morning (Wednesday, 2023-06-07) at about 07:30, Philippi Crime Prevention Unit members were patrolling in one of the crime hotspot areas. In Surburg Walk, members spotted two suspicious looking males who started running when they saw them.
The members gave chase and apprehended the two males aged 16 and 21 in a wendy-house in Surburg Walk, Hanover Park. Upon searching them, members found and seized a black 9mm pistol without a serial number, with ammunition. They were arrested for the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Once charged the suspects are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrates' Court on the mentioned charges.
In an unrelated matter, on Tuesday, 2023-06-06 members of Operation Restore were deployed in the Ceres SAPS precinct for the combatting of crime. Members then followed up information of drugs and liquor being sold and kept at different addresses pointed out to them in Bella Vista area. They operationalised the information and at a premises in Geelhout Street, they discovered numerous types of drugs (15 units of crystal methamphetamine), (5 full mandrax tabletts, 4 quarter mandrax tabletts).
At a premises in Lylle Street, dagga with an estimated weight of 400 grams, was found packed in different forms to be sold. It is alleged that all addresses form part of an circle of crime generators in the Ceres area.
Two males aged 34 and 36 respectively were apprehended during the raids. The exhibits were handed in for safekeeping. A fine was issued for selling of the liquor. Once charged they will make their appearance in the Ceres Magistrates' Court.