Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit
Cape Town, Western Cape – The Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) in the Western Cape continues to intensify efforts to curb the circulation of illegal firearms with members confiscating guns in Manenberg and the surrounding areas this week. In a series of targeted operations on 30 and 31 October 2025, five suspects aged between 21 and 44 were arrested on firearm-related charges, highlighting the ongoing push to remove weapons from the streets in one of Cape Town’s most troubled suburbs.  These actions come as part of a broader provincial strategy that has seen over 722 alleged gang members arrested and 1,565 illegal firearms seized in the past seven months, from April to October 2025. 
Manenberg, a hotspot for gang activity, has been plagued by shootings and turf wars, with residents living in constant fear. The unit’s work aims to disrupt these cycles, saving lives by taking guns out of criminal hands. Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding communities through the continued removal of illegal firearms from circulation. He further commended the members involved. “Every firearm removed from the hands of criminals means a life potentially saved. These operations demonstrate our dedication to reducing violent crime and ensuring that communities feel safe and protected,” Patekile said.
Nighttime Raids Yield Firearms and Arrests on 30 October
The operations kicked off late on Wednesday, 30 October 2025, as AGU members patrolled Manenberg amid reports of ongoing gang shootings. At around 21:50, officers received a tip-off about a hidden firearm at a residence in Viva Street. They proceeded to the address and encountered a 35-year-old man who led them to a .38 special revolver and four rounds of ammunition stashed in the yard. The suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Just over an hour later, at 22:55, the team acted on another intelligence lead pointing to firearms at a premises in Ray Alexander Close, Tambo Village. There, a 44-year-old man directed officers to two handguns – a Taurus 9mm and a Bulstorm 9mm – along with a 9mm extended magazine. He was taken into custody on charges of possessing unlicensed firearms and transported to Manenberg SAPS for processing.
These back-to-back arrests underscore the unit’s reliance on community tips and rapid response to keep weapons off the streets. In similar actions earlier in October, AGU members recovered a stolen firearm in Manenberg on 25 October, arresting a 38-year-old man after a search in Govan Mbeki Street.  The following day, on 26 October, another 38-year-old was nabbed in the same street with a .38 revolver and 15 rounds, showing a pattern of targeted enforcement in high-risk areas. 
Further Busts on 31 October Target Wanted Gang Members
The momentum carried into Thursday, 31 October 2025, with two more arrests linked to gang affiliations. At 19:00, AGU officers followed up on information about a wanted suspect hiding in Elbe Street. They located and arrested a 21-year-old man, identified as a member of a local gang. A search revealed he was carrying a black 9mm short Beretta pistol and 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Later that evening, at 20:15, the team received details on another wanted suspect’s location in Cyclone Street. After apprehending him, the man confessed to handing a firearm to a woman in Elsieskraal Street for safekeeping. Officers raided the address, where the 38-year-old woman showed them a prohibited 9mm Beretta Z88 pistol, a 9mm extended magazine, and 70 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Both suspects, tied to the same local gang, were arrested and taken to Manenberg SAPS.
These incidents bring the total arrests in this two-day sweep to five, with a haul of multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The operations involved collaboration across units, including the Hawks, who earlier in October seized an AK-47 rifle in Manenberg’s Joseph Street after a tip-off.  Such weapons are often used in drive-by shootings and assassinations that fuel the area’s violence.
Court Appearances and Legal Proceedings
According to the police, the suspects are due to make their respective court appearances in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday for their respective charges. They face serious accusations, including possession of unlicensed firearms, illegal ammunition, and prohibited weapons, which carry heavy penalties under South Africa’s Firearms Control Act. Prosecutors are expected to oppose bail, citing the suspects’ gang links and the risk they pose to the community.
This follows a trend of swift justice in similar cases. For instance, in mid-October, AGU arrested two men aged 25 and 41 in Manenberg for possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition during patrols.  Courts have been tough on these offences, often handing down sentences of up to 15 years to deter repeat offenders.
Broader Impact on Gang Violence in the Western Cape
Manenberg’s challenges are part of a larger crisis in the Western Cape, where gangs control drug trade, extortion, and turf battles. From April to October 2025, police deployed nearly 1,000 officers daily to hotspots like Manenberg, Grassy Park, Tafelsig, and Muizenberg, leading to 722 gang-related arrests and the seizure of 39,371 rounds of ammunition alongside the firearms.  These efforts have reduced murders in some areas, but residents still hear gunfire almost daily, especially in places like Hanover Park and Nyanga. 
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