Toy guys used to commit crimes in Khayelitsha

By Khanyisa Tabata
18 March 2010

Three people have been arrested after they were found with toy guns in their possession in Khayelitsha.

Police spokesperson Captain Anneke van der Vyver says it was found that in all three incidents, the “guns” were in fact used to commit serious crimes such as armed robberies at business premises as well as robberies in general.

“The possibility of these 'guns' being used to commit rape, cannot be ruled out. We therefore need to send out a strong message that should any person be found roaming the streets, especially in area’s known for robbery incidents, they will be arrested and charged on a criminal offence, being the possession of a dangerous weapon, as no victim can make a ruling to differentiate between a toy-gun or a firearm during the seconds when they are robbed.

Toy-guns and firearms look very similar and the differentiation can at times only be made when physically holding both of them as the toy-gun would obviously weigh much less that the firearm. We are also aware that youngsters may use these toy-guns to play pranks on each other or to in fact use them for their purpose, to play with it,” said van de Vyver.

Parents or guardians whom are in fact aware of their children carrying these “guns” to please take note that this toy can lead to fatal consequences. As mentioned above, victims as well as police members may retaliate in these incidents and fire live rounds, resulting in possible serious injury or death.

Van de Vyver added that police wish to inform the public that our main goal is to safeguard our community and need the assistance of the public to do just that.

Should you know of any person or persons walking the streets in order to commit robberies, they are requested to contact the Khayelitsha Operational Room on 021-360 2308/13 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 with the information.