A joint operation by the metro police and law enforcement department has led to a significant rise in the seizure of firearms, ammunition and narcotics, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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There was a 34% year-on-year increase in firearms seized by the City’s metro police and law enforcement departments.
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The majority of these confiscations occurred in high-violence precincts, where the City’s LEAP officers and specialised units like the Gang & Drug Task Team and the Tactical Response Unit are actively engaged daily.
The rate of confiscations of imitation firearms more than doubled during the same period, from 193 to 431.
‘This is no small feat, and underlines the scale of the problem we have with illegal firearms,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.
‘Our staff have taken more than 300 firearms out of circulation in the last year, and yet gun violence remains never-ending.’
‘Add to that the fact that SAPS has destroyed more than 250 000 weapons in the last five years, and it begs the question – where is the apparent unlimited supply of illicit firearms coming from?’
‘The City has said time and again that its enforcement agencies are capable of investigating crimes to boost conviction rates, and help slow the free flow of illegal firearms and drugs into our communities.’
‘It remains our hope that the call for the devolution of criminal investigative powers will be answered, for the benefit of our residents.’
After an arrest, City Services transfers suspects and related evidence, such as confiscated firearms or drugs, to the nearest policing precinct for further investigation.
The arresting officer and any other enforcement personnel present at the scene prepare statements to be included in the case docket.
Illegal firearms and drugs are retained as evidence until the conclusion of criminal proceedings, at which point they are destroyed by SAPS.
Additionally, the City has implemented watching briefs on priority cases, such as firearm-related arrests, to monitor their progress through the criminal justice system.
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Picture: City of Cape T0wn