Manenberg residents have been gripped by fear as sporadic gang shootings have been reported in the area since Tuesday.
The current bout of violence is reportedly linked to the murder of alleged Clever Kids gang member Muhammed Arendse, known as “Tanne”, who was gunned down on Tuesday behind Gail Court, Sabie Walk.
The Clever Kids and Hard Livings gangs are reportedly fighting for turf in Manenberg.
On Wednesday afternoon, the City of Cape Town’s Shot Spotter registered continuous shootings in the area.
The police’s Anti-Gang Unit was deployed in response, and officers flooded the streets.
While conducting stop-and-search operations, the team received information that gang members were intending to shoot.
The team operationalised the information, and upon entering Scheldt Walk, they noticed a person matching the description, leading to the seizure of a 9mm Glock pistol with one 9mm round and one extended magazine. A 32-year-old man was arrested.
Later, the members conducted a foot patrol across an open field next to Scheldt Road, which is an identified hotspot for shootings.
During the patrol, they discovered a bag containing five 9mm rounds, possibly belonging to gang members.
On Wednesday evening, members received intelligence from a reliable source about the activities of a specific gang, including hideouts for illegal firearms, ammunition used in the current gang war, and other crimes.
At 21:05, the first part of the operation led the officers to a premises in Vygies Kraal Road, Manenberg. Following a search, members seized thirty-six 9mm rounds, one ammunition box, and one black ammunition holder. A 49-year-old man was also arrested.
The second part of the intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old man for the illegal possession of ammunition. They found ten 3.57 calibre rounds in his possession.
At 21:50, officers executed a search at a premises in Zaghra Road, Manenberg. A 52-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. He was arrested after a CZ-75 Luger pistol with twenty-two 9mm rounds and one magazine was seized.
