Three alleged gangsters arrested on Cape Flats for murder and attempted murder

Three alleged gangsters were arrested between Saturday evening night and in the early hours of Sunday, for murder and attempted murder cases, as part of police’s coordinated take down operations on the Cape Flats.

Members attached to the provincial Anti Gang Unit detectives descended in Manenberg, Athlone and Mitchell’s Plain as part of ongoing investigations into shooting incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2025 and are believed to be related to gang fights.

The latest of the shooting incidents occurred outside the Athlone court on 3 December where a person was killed. Not far from the court in Kew Town another man was shot and wounded minutes later.

‘’The arrested suspects, aged 28, 36 and 38 face attempted murder, murder and possession of illegal firearm charges as well as contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA),’’ said Brigadier Novela Potelwa, Western Cape police spokesperson.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Police has not ruled out additional charges. The suspects are expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain and Athlone courts on Monday.

‘’The execution of the operation forms part of a comprehensive plan by the South African Police Service in the Western Cape to curb ongoing gang activity and restore order in communities that are plagued by gang violence within the City of Cape Town. With other law enforcement agencies, the SAPS continues with targeted operations at identified hotspots where numerous illegal firearms arms have been confiscated and arrests effected. Illegal firearms remain the weapon of choice in gang related shootings occurring on the Cape Flats,’’ said Potelwa.

SAPS said the tracing of wanted suspects forms part of its efforts to quell gang violence.

The Cape Flats Safety Forum, in partnership with Fight Against Crime SA, lauded SAPS for the arrests made

‘’These operations mark an important step toward restoring authority and respect for the unit tasked with breaking the backbone of gangs and drug networks in our communities. We further call for future operations to include the Department of Correctional Services, as an integrated approach is essential in tackling organised crime effectively,’’ read the statement.

‘’Continued coordinated action of this nature is critical to restoruing safety and stability ion the Cape Flats,’’ it added.

Done By: Mitchum George