CRIME SCENE: Schaapkraal, Cape Town: Members of the Metro Police Special Operations have seized eight brand-new firearms and arrested two people alleged to be gang members.

The Schaapkraal raid on Thursday, 22 October 2026 follows a deadly shooting on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 in Military Road, Steenberg, where two people were murdered. Five alleged gang members were arrested after Law Enforcement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and SA Defence Force members attached to Operation Prosper pursued two getaway vehicles. A pistol, two high-powered semi-automatic rifles and ammunition were recovered after the arrests.

According to the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, in January 2025 a raid at premises allegedly linked to the same gang in Schaapkraal, Ottery yielded five handguns, three high-powered rifles and ammunition.

“Since then, our officers have recovered hundreds of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and countless bags of drugs fuelling gang wars.

“This points to sustained weapons supplies, organised criminal financing and networks operating within our communities. With local government elections approaching, the apparent escalation is particularly concerning.

“This week alone, Metro Police members have recovered 17 firearms. These seizures are significant, but may represent only a fraction of the weapons entering our communities,” said Smith.

Also read: Five held for double murder – Crime Scene Report