Illegal firearms seized in operation

OPERATION Thunder, which is clamping down on gang violence in Lavender Hill, led police to confiscate at least three illegal firearms and ammunition yesterday.

“In their efforts to curb the ongoing gang shootings in the Steenberg policing area, members attached to Operation Thunder intensified crime prevention operations in the area and it led to the arrest of a 27-yearold man. He was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. A 9mm pistol with 13 live rounds of ammunition were confiscated,” said police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana.

On Wednesday, a joint operation with Steenberg police, members from Operation Thunder and law enforcement arrested a 21-year-old man when two firearms and 24 live rounds of ammunition were confiscated.

Meanwhile, police were investigating a murder and two cases of attempted murder following an alleged gang-related shooting occurred at a petrol station in Kensington earlier this week.

The shooting on Tuesday occurred on the corners of Voortrekker Road and 5th Avenue.

“Police responded to a shooting incident at the address and on their arrival they found a 35-year-old man fatally wounded and two others aged 32 and 42 injured. Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation with no arrests at this stage,” Van Wyk said.

Kensington community policing forum (CPF) spokesperson Zainulabideen van der Schyff said: “Gunmen opened fire and two victims were rushed to hospital while the other victim succumbed to the wound and died on the scene. Currently the initial findings of the investigation points to this incident being gang related.

“The Kensington CPF once again expresses our concern regarding the safety and security of the residents in the Factreton-Kensington area,” Van der Schyff said.

Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 086 001 0111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.