Key Takeaways
- The Western Cape’s Anti Gang Unit (AGU) arrested three suspects for murder and attempted murder cases related to gang fights on the Cape Flats.
- The suspects, aged 28, 36, and 38, face charges including attempted murder, murder, and possession of illegal firearms.
- The arrests were made as part of ongoing investigations into shooting incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2025.
- The South African Police Service (SAPS) is working to curb gang activity and restore order in communities plagued by gang violence.
- Additional law enforcement agencies are assisting in targeted operations at identified hotspots, resulting in the confiscation of numerous illegal firearms and arrests.
Introduction to the Anti Gang Unit’s Progress
The Western Cape’s Anti Gang Unit (AGU) has made significant progress in their fight against gangsterism, with the arrest of three suspects for murder and attempted murder cases. The arrests were made on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, as the police descended on different locations on the Cape Flats, including Manenberg, Athlone, and Mitchells Plain. The suspects, aged 28, 36, and 38, were cornered by the police, who were armed with warrants of arrest, as part of ongoing investigations into shooting incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2025. These shootings are believed to be related to gang fights, which have been plaguing the communities on the Cape Flats.
The Recent Incidents
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the latest incident took place outside Athlone Court earlier this month, where a person was killed. Another man was shot and wounded minutes later in Kew Town, not far from the court. The SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, explained that the arrested suspects face attempted murder, murder, and possession of illegal firearm charges, as well as contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). With the investigations gaining momentum, additional charges could be added. The suspects are expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain and Athlone courts on Monday, 29 December 2025.
The Ongoing Investigations
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. The SAPS, along with other law enforcement agencies, continues with targeted operations at identified hotspots, where numerous illegal firearms have been confiscated and arrests have been made. Illegal firearms remain the weapon of choice in gang-related shootings occurring on the Cape Flats. The tracing of wanted suspects forms part of efforts to effectively address gang violence and its manifestations. The SAPS is working tirelessly to bring those responsible for the violence to justice and to create a safer environment for the communities.
The Deployment of Additional Resources
A week ago, the SAPS boots on the ground deployments received a much-needed boost with the deployment of approximately 450 additional constables who completed their basic training at SAPS academies in November. This increase in manpower will help to strengthen the SAPS’s efforts to combat gang violence and crime in the Western Cape. The additional constables will be deployed to hotspots and will work closely with the AGU to identify and apprehend suspects, as well as to engage with the community to build trust and gather intelligence. The deployment of these additional resources is a significant step towards addressing the gang violence that has been plaguing the communities on the Cape Flats.
Conclusion and Future Plans
In conclusion, the Western Cape’s Anti Gang Unit has made significant progress in their fight against gangsterism, with the arrest of three suspects for murder and attempted murder cases. The SAPS is working tirelessly to curb gang activity and restore order in communities plagued by gang violence. With the deployment of additional resources, including 450 new constables, the SAPS is well-equipped to tackle the gang violence and create a safer environment for the communities. The SAPS will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend suspects, and to engage with the community to build trust and gather intelligence. The future plans of the SAPS include continued targeted operations at identified hotspots, as well as community outreach and engagement programs to prevent gang violence and promote safety and security in the communities.
