“Ghost Squad” arrests wanted murder suspect during traffic blitz

By Kim Saulse
30 September 2009

Vigilant patrolling by the City’s “Ghost Squad” paid off at the weekend, when routine operations led to the arrest of a wanted murder suspect.

On Sunday night, during a special operation to curb illegal street racing, the team was charging two motorists at the intersection of 35th Street and Modderdam Road, Belhar, when eight men intervened.

The group hurled stones at the officers which prompted them to arrest two of the men.

Charges were laid against the four men at Bishop Lavis police station.

Further police investigations revealed that one of the suspects was wanted for murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and several other offences registered at the Delft SAPS.

“A Traffic Officer generally deals with day to day traffic offences, some more serious than others but, from time to time, we do come across hardened criminals,” says Chief Inspector Merle Lourens, media spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services.