SAPS
Police raid high crime area
Four murder suspects behind bars
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.
Four cannot evade Flying Squad
Alleged hardware fraudsters caught
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: Four members of an alleged hardware fraud syndicate are behind bars.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Western Cape media office, the four men attempted to defraud a hardware store at a shopping mall in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plainb on Wednesday 06 May 2026.
Two male suspects went to the hardware store and purchased one item worth R600. According to the police they later came back with a fraudulent till slip claiming that they had purchased 41 items.
The cashier spotted the discrepancy and immediately notified Lentegeur Police. The suspects and two others attempted to flee but they were intercepted at a petrol station by members of the Western Cape Flying Squad and arrested for fraud.
The investigation is continuing into the suspects’ alleged modus operandi and possible link to other cases. The arrest follows prior reports of similar incidents at hardware stores around the province in the past year.
Operation Prosper has had some success
No end in sight to Flats violence
CRIME SCENE: Cape Flats: Since the army’s boots hit the Cape Flats ground just over a month ago, Operation Prosper has had some measure of success, but it hasn’t stopped innocent deaths in gang ridden areas.
The bullets kept on flying. Blood kept flowing. There seems no end in sight.
Operation Prosper, a joint deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), South African Police Services (SAPS) and the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police, Traffic Police, and Law Enforcement to combat gang violence, extortion and crime in the Western Cape, rolled into Mitchells Plain on 1 April 2026.
The deployment is planned for a year and includes high-density patrols, roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, vehicle control points (VCP), inspections of liquor-licensed premises, and checks for undocumented persons.
From 1 to 28 April 2026 a total of 23 firearms, one hand grenade and 146 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. The forces also confiscated drugs worth over R4 million and liquor worth R262 426, while making 191 drug related arrests and 31 illegally dealing in alcohol.
But the operation went a bit further than just combatting gang violence, as 29 illegal migrants were arrested and Abalone and Rock Lobster worth over R 45 000 were confiscated.
●The information contained in this report was supplied by Captain Walter Kassaka, the operational communication officer at the Joint Tactical Headquarters, Western Cape.
Worker finds foetus among dirt
Another child tragedy
CRIME SCENE: Vrygrond, Cape Town: Barely a day after the discovery of a newborn baby in Lotus River, another gruesome discovery, this time of a foetus, was made on Monday morning, 4 May 2026.
According to Captain FC van Wyk of the Western Cape Police Media Office, the police were called out to Capricorn near Muizenberg where an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) worker noticed a foetus between some dirt.
The worker was busy cleaning an open field in Vrygrond Avenue, using a rake when she made the discovery.
The City of Cape Town councillor for the area, Mandy Marr, described the incident as an absolutely devastating and senseless tragedy.
“My heart goes out to the entire community as we all mourn this painful loss,” said Marr via a WhatsApp group.
A local community activist posted the following on Facebook: “Another baby found amongst dirt in our community in Vrygrond Avenue, Vrygrond. Mothers please support your children during this time, or adults if you know you pregnant and no longer wants the baby, speak to someone at the MOU or organizations in your community. This cannot carry on. Babies being dumped due to you being irresponsible/ having unprotected sex. Contraceptives are free for anyone young and old. There is no excuse for this behavior. If you know something speak up!! Being silent dont help anyone.”
Muizenberg police registered an inquest for investigation. Anyone with information is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
In the Lotus River incident, the body of a newborn baby girl was found in a stormwater drain in Lotus River on Sunday afternoon, 3 May 2026. The baby’s 31-year-old mother was arrested on Saturday, 2 May 2026.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
Three men also apprehended for drugs, firearm
Plain woman arrested for ‘attacking’ cops
CRIME SCENE: Mitchells Plain, Cape Town: A Mitchells Plain woman, who was allegedly found with drugs and attacked the police, has been arrested
The Mitchells Plain police had earlier received information about drugs at a premises in Guava Street, Tafelsig. They quickly followed up on this intelligence leading to the arrest of the woman when they discovered a consignment of dagga and an undisclosed amount of cash at the premises, according to a statement by the Western Cape police media office.
The 29-year-old woman was arrested for attack on police and dealing in dagga and dagga products.
CRIME SCENE: Steenberg: On Wednesday, 29 April at around 06:40, an integrated operation between the police and the South African National Defence Force in Steenberg led to the discovery of a 9mm pistol with 17 rounds of ammunition. Two men aged 19 and 34-years were arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
According to the Western Cape police media office, the members then arrested a 34-year-old male in another street for possession of drugs after he was found with two half Mandrax tablets, three full Mandrax tablets and four sachets of Tik in his possession.
Metro cop and mom face various chargeS
Breakthrough in hit-and-run tragedy
CRIME SCENE: Athlone, Cape Town: THE South African Police Service (SAPS) has made a breakthrough in the hit-and-run case of 21-year-old Imtiyaaz Firfery on 18 April 2026.04.29.
An off-duty Metro Police officer Naeema Daniels (25) and her mother Nadia Daniels (54), appeared in the Athlone Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 in connection with the case.
The Metro cop faces a number of charges including, failure to: stop at an accident scene; ascertain injuries and damages; and render assistance. Her mother, who was allegedly the passenger in the car, faces a charge of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
Firfirey was reported missing the evening of 18 April 2026 after leaving his home in Athlone to go to a friend, but he never arrived.
Later that evening the family had to identify him at the mortuary after they were contacted about an accident on Jan Smuts Drive, in which one person had died.
The police have confiscated the vehicle for further investigation.
Naeema was granted bail of R4 000 and her mother was released on a warning. They will appear again on 24 July 2026.
Two arrested after e-hailing incident goes viral
The dash cam and the robbers
The South African Police Services (SAPS) are on the hunt for two men who were caught on camera robbing an e-hailing driver.
The incident happened in Parkwood on Saturday night, 25 April at 8:47pm. The video has since gone viral on social media platforms.
Western Cape SAPS media liaison officer, Serg. Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident happened in Pers Road when the driver responded to a pickup request. Two unknown men entered the vehicle and one of them produced a firearm.
On the video it is clear the suspect sitting on the back seat is armed, while the one sitting next to the driver keeps on threatening him. They robbed the driver of personal belongings, including his cell phone and cash before the suspects got out of the car and disappeared.
Grassy Park police have opened a robbery with firearm case and confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.
Police have appealed to the public for assistance. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile App anonymously.
News update: Reports are coming in two men were arrested on 28 April 2026 in connection with the case. According to the reports the two were caught in Lavender Hill by members of the community and handed over to the City of Cape Town Metro Police, who in turn handed them over to the SAPS.
Twee vas na video viral gaan
Kamera wys hoe twee bestuurder beroof
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) is op soek na twee mans wat ‘n e-hailing bestuurder in sy kar beroof het.
Die voorval het Saterdag 25 April om 20:47 in Parkwood plaasgevind. Die roof is deur die kar se dash cam video opgeneem en het sedertdien viral op sosiale media-platforms gegaan.
‘n Polisiewoordvoerder in die Wes-Kaap, sersant Wesley Twigg, het bevestig die voorval het in Persweg plaasgevind toe die bestuurder op ‘n versoek op ‘n rit aanvaar het.
Toe hy by die optelplek aankom, het twee mans by die voertuig ingeklim. Op die video is dit duidelik die verdagte op die agtersitplek is gewapen, terwyl die een wat langs die bestuurder sit, hom aanhou dreig.
Hulle het die bestuurder van persoonlike besittings, insluitend sy selfoon en kontant, beroof voordat die verdagtes uit die motor geklim en in die donkerte verwyn het.
Die Grassy Park-polisie ondersoek ’n gewapende roof saak.
Die polisie het ‘n beroep gedoen op mense met inligting om Crime Stop by 08600 10111 te kontak of die MySAPS App anoniem te gebruik.
Nuusflits: Verskeie bronne dui aan beide verdagtes is op die middag van 28 April 2026 in Lavender Hill deur die Stad Kaapstad se Metro-polisie gearresteer en aan die SAPD oorgegee. Gemeenskapslede het vroeër die mans gevang en aan die Metro-polisie oorhandig.
Handgranaat, vuurwapens en dwelms gekonfiskeer
Prosper pos verdagtes tronk toe
Operasie Prosper, die gesamentlike ontplooiing van die polisie en die Suid-Afrikaanse nasionale weermag (SANW) om bendegeweld op die Kaapse Vlakte te bekamp, het vandeesweek verskeie verdagtes tronk toe gepos.
Hier volg ‘n tydlyn
Donderdag, 22 April 2026
Freedom Farm, Delft: Prosper-lede het in die vroeë oggendure toegeslaan en beslag gelê op vyf vuurwapens, twee aangepaste magasyne, ‘n groot hoeveelheid ammunisie en ‘n M26-handgranaat, by die Freedom Farm informele nedersetting.
In die eerste voorval is ‘n 23-jarige verdagte gearresteer nadat twee 9 mm-vuurwapens en ammunisie by ‘n perseel ontdek is.
Verdere ondersoek het gelei tot die ontdekking van nog twee vuurwapens, ammunisie en die handgranaat wat by ‘n uitgebrande plakkershut begrawe is. Hier is ‘n 35-jarige man gearresteer.
Die operasie het toe beweeg na nabygeleë persele waar nog ‘n 9 mm-vuurwapen en ammunisie ontdek is, wat gelei het tot die arrestasie van ‘n 35-jarige man.
Verder is ‘n 36-jarige man gearresteer nadat tik onder ‘n mat in ‘n plakkershut gevind is.
Woensdag, 22 April 2026
Khayelitsha: Prosper-lede het omstreeks 14:30 in K-2 Temporals, Terrein B, 24 deursigtige plastieksakke tik ontdek en ‘n 23-jarige man is gearresteer.
Hanover Park: ‘n 43-jarige vrou is omstreeks 15:20 in Lynstonweg, Hanover Park, gearresteer nadat sy in besit van een pakkie kokaïen, 25 sakkies dagga en 20 daggasigarette gevind is.
Nyanga: ‘n 39-jarige man is omstreeks 17:00 in Sithandathustraat in besit van 71 sakkies kokaïen gevind. Hy is in hegtenis geneem vir dwelmhandel, aanranding op die polisie, verset teen arrestasie en oortreding van die Immigrasiewet.
Dinsdag, 21 April 2026
Voorbrug, Delft: Twee mans is in Akkerdaaistraat voorgekeer. Een van die twee, ‘n 32-jarige, is in besit van drie sakkies tik, ses Mandrax-tablette en 2.8g kokaïen gevind. ‘n Man wat saam met hom geloop het, ‘n 37-jarige, is met dieselfde hoeveelheid dwelms in sy besit gevind. Beide is gearresteer.
Eindhoven, Delft: ‘n Verdere soektog in die gebied het gelei tot die arrestasie van ‘n 54-jarige man wat in Atbostraat in besit van 10 sakkies kokaïen gevind is.
▪Operasie Prosper is op 1 April 2026 van stapel gestuur om kriminele aktiwiteite te ontwrig, onwettige vuurwapens uit sirkulasie te verwyder en ‘n veiliger omgewing vir inwoners op die Kaapse Vlakte te skep.
Operation Prosper achieve significant success
Hand grenade found buried in shack
Operation Prosper, the joint deployment of forces to root out gang violence on the Cape Flats, has had significant successes this week, including the discovery of a hand grenade and several firearms.
This is how it happened.
Thursday, 22 April 2026
Freedom Farm, Delft: In the early hours of the morning members of Prosper recovered five firearms, two extended magazines, a large quantity of ammunition and an explosive device identified as an M26 hand grenade during an intelligence-led operation at the Freedom Farm informal settlement.
A 23-year-old suspect was first arrested after two 9mm firearms and ammunition were discovered at a premises.
Further investigation led to the discovery of two additional firearms, ammunition and the hand grenade buried at a burnt-out shack nearby, where a 35-year-old suspect was arrested.
The operation continued to nearby premises where another 9mm firearm and ammunition were discovered, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old man.
In another search, a 36-year-old man was arrested after tik was found concealed beneath a carpet in a shack.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Khayelitsha: At approximately 14:30 in K-2 Temporals, Site B, the members discovered 24 clear plastic bags of tik. A 23-year-old man was arrested.
Hanover Park: A 43-year-old woman was arrested in Lynston Road, Hanover Park at around 15:20 after she was found in possession of one packet of cocaine, 25 bags of dagga and 20 dagga cigarettes.
Nyanga: A 39-year-old man was found in possession of 71 sachets of cocaine at around 17:00 in Sithandathu Street. He was arrested for dealing in drugs, assault on police, resisting arrest and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Voorbrug, Delft: Two men were stopped at Akkerdaai Street, where a 32-year-old male suspect was found in possession of three sachets of tik, six Mandrax tablets and 2.8g of cocaine. A 37-year-old who was walking with the 32-year-old was found with the same amount of drugs in his possession.
Eindhoven, Delft: A further search in the area led to the arrest of a 54-year-old man who was found in possession of 10 sachets of cocaine in Atbo Street.
▪Operation Prosper was launched on 01 April 2026. It represents a coordinated and decisive response by law enforcement and defence structures to disrupt criminal activity, remove illegal firearms from circulation and reinforce a safer environment for residents.