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Handcuffs.
Police top brass in the Western Cape say sterling detective work led to the breakthrough in several investigations. That resulted in the arrest of three wanted suspects during raids in various areas on the Cape Flats, in the early hours, on Sunday.
Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa says the arrests happened during operations in Manenberg, Athlone and Mitchells Plain. The arrests form part of the ongoing investigations into shootings, including a fatal one outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court, earlier this in December.
#sapsWC Three suspects aged28, 36 & 38, were arrested on the Cape Flats during operations from Saturday night into Sunday morning, for murder and attempted murder linked to gang-related shootings.
Arrests were effected in Manenberg, Athlone and Mitchells Plain. Suspects face… pic.twitter.com/3exTh3iIRl
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 28, 2025
Police say the raids form part of broader SAPS efforts to curb gang violence, with additional police reinforcements strengthening targeted deployments in known gang-hotspot areas Including Athlone, Mitchells Plain and Manenberg.
“We want to make a dent. I must applaud the sterling work that the detectives and intelligence have done. We are looking for more. We will only rest when we see that we’ve taken the top layer of leaders and the second layer of leadership as well as the bottom, because we are now approaching it from the top and the bottom so that we get the stability in the areas where these gangs are operating,” says Western Cape Police Commissioner, Thembekile Patekile.
The latest round of the shooting incidents linked the suspects to the shooting happening outside the Athlone Magistrates court on the third of December, where a person was shot and killed.
Not far from the court, in Kew Town, Athlone, another man was shot and wounded minutes later.
“Recently in the Athlone shooting one person died and one person was injured and a person was arrested. Last night which will be appearing in Athlone, on Monday and the other two will be appearing in Mitchells Plain for the three murders and attempted murders. It is hard work that the detectives are doing behind doors,” adds Patekile.
Police say more charges could be added. Residents from various areas on the Cape Flats also shared their views on the raids and arrests being made.
“It makes me feel very good and I’m happy that they catch the gangsters and the criminals so that our children can play peacefully outside. Right now our children can’t play outside because of them,” says a resident.
“These people that they are arresting are people who are being used by the big leaders out there as puppets and to be honest, with the gangsterism in South Africa, we are going nowhere as it’s just getting worse,” says another resident,” says a resident.
“I am actually relieved that they are actually putting the work in, because there was a time when we would call them and they would take hours to come through but I am happy that they are spearheading this process of getting rid of such ordeals that we’re currently going through,” adds another resident.
A week ago about 450 additional constables, who completed their basic training at SAPS academies in November, were also deployed in the Western Cape to bolster policing.
This while the Police will also focus on the tracing of wanted suspects to effectively address gang violence.
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Reporting by Lerato Dlalisa
