Two alleged extortionists have been nabbed in Cape Town in separate incidents. Western Cape SAPS says the suspects were taken into custody in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) and late last night (Wednesday). The arrests were carried out in Browns Farm and Marikana informal settlement.

Two alleged extortionists nabbed in Cape Town

Constable Ndakhe Gwala says members of Operation Lockdown III had followed up on information they had received about an alleged extortionist who has an unlicensed shotgun in Browns Farm. She says officers at about 1 am this morning went to the suspect’s home on Kamela Street and found him there.

Gwala says that, while a search was being conducted, a shotgun was discovered under the suspect’s bed. It was wrapped in plastic. She says the 41-year-old man was arrested. He will face charges relating to the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. She added that he will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s court.

Operation Lockdown III: Alleged extortionists

Just a few hours before, another alleged extortionist was taken away from his home in handcuffs. Gwala says a 35-year-old male suspect was identified by Crime Intelligence officers in connection with a case of extortion. She says he was arrested at his home in Marikana informal settlement on Wednesday, 03 June 2026.

Officers had descended on the scene about 23:00 and commenced with a search. Gwala says the search resulted in the recovery of a 9mm pistol and 9 rounds of ammunition. According to a Western Cape SAPS media statement, the suspect will appear at the Athlone Magistrate’s court once charged.

Drugs confiscated by the Police

There was also another arrest in Tafelsig last night (Wednesday, 03 June 2026). Gwala says members of the Public Order Police Unit had arrested a 35-year-old male suspect in connection with a charge of possession of drugs. The arrest was carried out in Tierkloof Street. She says the team was on patrol and received a tip-off about suspected drugs at a house in the neighbourhood. Gwala says they went to the mentioned address and, after a search, seized 20 sachets of cocaine, 7 plastic bags and 6 rolls of dagga. She says the suspect will appear later in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court. Gwala also added that the third incident is unrelated to the other two mentioned above.

The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), in collaboration with the Haven Night Shelter, has opened a new Safe Sleeping Zone in District Six, in support of the chronically homeless community in the CBD.

The Safe Sleeping Zone is a four-month pilot project that forms part of the CCID’s Winter Readiness Programme. It will provide temporary shelter, as well as practical support, for chronically homeless individuals who are often excluded from existing facilities due to eligibility criteria.

Tara Gerardy-Bissolati, CCID Social Development manager, says the Safe Sleeping Zone will support vulnerable individuals with dignity and care.

“Winter is very harsh for people living on the streets as they are exposed to freezing temperatures, wet and unsafe conditions. They often have limited access to suitable shelter. Our aim with this project is to improve quality of life and foster a more inclusive CBD.”

The temporary facility is located in District Six under the Selkirk Street carriageway, adjacent to The Haven Night Shelter.

It will operate until September 2026, offering overnight accommodation for between 60 and 80 people per night.

Haven CEO Shaddie Valayadum says that at the heart of the initiative is the idea that no one should sleep exposed to the cold.

“It has been designed as low-threshold sleeping space, or overnight emergency accommodation rather than long-term housing, providing vulnerable individuals with protection during winter.”

CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos says the temporary nature of the project does not mean it doesn’t have growth potential.

“While it is a targeted response to immediate winter needs, our hope is that its success will pave the way for expansion into other parts of the CBD and beyond.”

CCID Social Development sponsors 43 beds at shelters throughout the year; during winter, it increases this by 45 more beds. The emergency shelter will increase the total bed space sponsored by the CCID during winter to 168.

Controlled referral system

• Access to the site will be managed through a controlled referral and ticket-based system, with individuals referred directly by the CCID from within its 1.6 km² footprint.
• The shelter will open nightly at 19h00, with final entry at 21h30, and residents exiting the site at 06h30 the following morning.
• The facility will be equipped with a maximum of 80 fold-up stretchers, emergency blankets and pillows. Basic nourishment, including a hot drink, will be provided.
• Residents will also receive off-site meal tokens for NGO The Service Dining Rooms.
• Ablution facilities and secure container storage will be available on-site, while the area will be enclosed by perimeter fencing, well-lit, and monitored through CCTV cameras to ensure safety and security.
• Dedicated security guards and overnight supervisors will also be present.
• Couples will be accommodated.
• The shelter will operate under clear rules to support the safety and well-being of all occupants. In addition, six CCID peer field workers will be on duty at the site, all of whom have received training in First Aid, mental health de-escalation, harm reduction and induction processes.

According to the Haven, an estimated 14 000 people are living on the streets in the city, but only around 3 800 shelter beds are available. At its District Six facility, it has 90 beds available.

“Winter places significant strain on shelters as demand for warm beds and basic care increases, particularly during storms and periods of severe weather,” says Valayadum.

“By mid-June, which is only the beginning of winter, we often see our capacity already exceeding 80 %. The Safe Sleeping Zone will provide significant and much-needed relief by helping to ease capacity constraints.”

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has confirmed that nearly 1,000 Mozambican nationals have left South Africa.  

The BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said it has processed the departure of 933 Mozambicans at the Lemobobo Port of Entry on Wednesday, 3 June.

More than 580 of them are from Mossel Bay.

“The remaining 584 individuals travelled from Mossel Bay through arrangements facilitated by the Mozambican High Commission,” read the BMA statement on social media.

349 nationals are being deported as part of a Home Affairs deportation programme.

The departure of Mozambicans from Mossel Bay follows recent unrest in Garden Route town and the weekend deaths of two Mozambican nationals. 

At the same time, Malawian nationals have been given the opportunity to return to their home country, amid demonstrations against foreign nationals in South Africa.

“The Ministry would further like to inform the public that the Government is making the necessary arrangements and undertaking the request processes to provide consular support to Malawians affected by the attacks in some parts of South Africa,” read the Malawian government’s statement on social media.

Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Ministry advised that it would soon begin a voluntary repatriation process for those who express an interest in returning to the country.

It added that it has been in communication with nationals in South Africa, as well as national government agencies with which it says talks have been positive.

“The Ministry also commend the Government of the Republic of South Africa for taking decisive steps to address concerns raised by the Republic of Malawi.”

Malawian nationals are urged to contact the High Commission in Pretoria or the Consulate in Johannesburg for more details.