LEAP officers on patrol in Gugulethu chased a vehicle and eventually brought it to a stop close to the area of NY132. With the vehicle surrounded and officers taking up tactical positions, the driver surrendered. On the backseat, officers discovered a loaded AK47 Assault rifle, loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition.
During patrols in Wynberg on Sunday evening, officers came across a suspect who was seen to be shooting at another victim that was already lying on the ground. Upon seeing the officers, the shooter immediately jumped into a waiting vehicle and hurriedly attempted to make an escape.
Additional support was called in and the area saturated, until the suspect was again seen walking in Sandhurst Rd. Again the suspect was chased down, with officers closing in. The suspect drew a weapon and attempted to discard it into a property, while trying to escape over several rooftops. Law Enforcement members along with members of Wynberg SAPS were able to surround the attacker and take him into custody.
Additional members had at this time already located the victim and had stabilized him, before transporting him to Victoria Hospital with gunshot wounds.
Returning to the scene where the attacker had attempted to dispose of the firearm, the offices located the weapon, a fully loaded revolver with 2 spent cartridges.
The City’s SSIU investigators will now assist the SAPS investigators, to ensure the empty casings and live rounds recovered are linked to this case of attempted murder and other possible forensic cases already in the system.
In both instances, officers needed to execute defensive driving manoeuvers and tactical skills, such as those included in the Stop and Approach training module covered by our Metro Police Training Academy. The recovery of the AK47 Assault rifle is most alarming but emphasizes the need for our officers to be ready for anything and at any time.
While we are already improving our training modules, to now include such high-pressure scenarios using our newly acquired simulator, it is imperative that each officer always remain alert and ready to take action when it may be required. Members need to be suitably qualified and meet the ongoing requirements that confirms their ability to not only safeguard our residents within our community but also for when they need to defend their own safety.
Crime as a Threat to Road Safety
LEAP Officers chase down the big guns https://t.co/T2q3N4DjAu#ArriveAlive #GunsOffTheStreets #LEAPOfficers pic.twitter.com/gRoYrjghOb
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 1, 2024