CRIME SCENE: Athlone, Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested four murder suspects in Vygieskraal, Athlone on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

The four were among 34 people arrested in the area in a high density operation.

The Western Cape SAPS management has welcomed the arrests, which came response to heightened criminal activity, said the police in a statement on Friday, 8 May 2026.

The four murder suspects were linked to an incident which happened in April 2026. 

As police continued with their foot patrols, community members pointed out a suspect who was running towards an open field. They gave chase and found the 18-year-old male trying to hide a 9mm pistol and 34 rounds of ammunition. He was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man was arrested for possession of 250 Mandrax tablets and 50 sachets of Tik.

Police further seized large amounts of alcohol and dagga abandoned at one of the informal houses.

 A total of 28 illegal immigrants were detained for contravention of the Immigration Act.