On Sunday, 22 February 2026, Metro Police officers attended to a complaint of domestic violence at an address in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain.
On arrival, they were informed that there were firearms and ammunition on the property. One firearm and ammunition was found to be licenced – a second belonged to a deceased relative and was never surrendered.
Officers also recovered more than 230 rounds of illegal ammunition, including 87 rifle rounds, 109 9mm rounds and 33 revolver rounds. They also found two grenade casings and several empty 9mm casings.
They requested the assistance of the K9 unit and Bomb Squad, but had to withdraw as a crowd that had gathered outside, became riotous. A 48-year-old male was arrested and detained at Lentegeur South African Police Service (SAPS) for the illegal possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and contravening the Domestic Violence Act.
‘This incident once again highlights the challenge City enforcement agencies and SAPS face with ongoing public interference in enforcement operations. Communities cannot call for help and then turn on law enforcement by obstructing their work.
‘Obstruction of justice is an arrestable offence. I urge communities to condemn the small minority who protect criminals and to use our tip-off number to help City enforcement remove these individuals from our streets.’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Metro Police officers recovered another revolver in Ocean View on the same day, and, on Friday, 20 February,
Neighbourhood Safety officers received information of an abandoned firearm frame in Observatory – it was booked in at Woodstock SAPS as abandoned. LEAP also confiscated five illegal firearms this past week in Steenberg, Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park and Delft.
‘Another week in which City enforcement officers removed multiple illegal firearms from our streets, yet SAPS’s silence on this matter is becoming deafening. I call on the National Minister to put people before politics and urgently expand our policing powers. How many more lives must be lost before Minister Cachalia takes this matter seriously’, added Alderman Smith.
In general enforcement efforts over the past week, Metro Police officers made 127 arrests and issued 4 183 notices
Law Enforcement Officers made 196 arrests and issued 12 958 notices.
Traffic Officers recorded 94 arrests, of which 85 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, four for reckless/negligent driving and five for other offences. They also recorded 72 313 offences, impounded 217 public transport vehicles.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 555 calls for assistance this past weekend. Of the calls received, 95 were assault cases, as well as 39 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents.
The public is reminded to report emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 with detailed information, such as the time, exact address and a short description. This will assist enforcement services to respond swiftly.
