The Western Cape Police have intensified efforts to clamp down on gang-related crime across the province, with 26 suspects arrested during a three-day operation.

Between 2 and 4 November, SAPS members deployed under Operation Lockdown III made arrests in Manenberg, Elsies River, Kensington, Wynberg, Lentegeur, and Delft.

According to police Lt Col Amanda van Wyk, most of those arrested are known gang members, facing charges including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, hijacked vehicles, drug dealing, theft from motor vehicles, and discharging firearms in public areas.

A wanted suspect who escaped from custody last month was reportedly also re-arrested in Lentegeur following intelligence-led efforts. According to Van Wyk, the escapee had initially been arrested for a gang-related murder.

During the same period, the multidisciplinary team confiscated four unlicensed firearms, ammunition of various calibres, a hijacked vehicle, drugs, spent cartridges, a card machine, state petrol cards, and cash suspected to be crime proceeds.

Investigations are reportedly underway to determine whether the suspects and seized items are linked to other serious offences.

According to Van Wyk, OPERATION LOCKDOWN III is a national intervention aimed at addressing drug trafficking, extortion, and violent crimes linked to gangsterism, particularly in the Cape Flats.

“The multi-disciplinary team comprises members of Crime Intelligence, National Intervention Unit (NIU), Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), Public Order Policing (POP), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Visible Policing, Organised Crime detectives, Forensic experts, K9 Unit, and Mobilisation fleet.”

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