WESTERN CAPE NEWS - The arrests of suspects in connection with a series of gang-related shootings, murders and attempted murders on the Cape Flats have been welcomed by the acting minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety in the Western Cape, Tertuis Simmers.
These latest arrests form part of focused operations conducted by detectives from the police's Anti-Gang Unit who arrested suspects linked to a number of murder and attempted murder cases on the Cape Flats, including the fatal shooting outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on 3 December 2025.
Simmers in a statement today, 29 December, welcomed the arrests and urged the SAPS and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to swiftly investigate and prosecute to ensure convictions and lengthy sentences.
He said the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety will continue to monitor SAPS investigations and court processes closely.
"The department will conduct further oversight to ensure that decisive action is taken by the relevant national law enforcement and criminal justice authorities."
He said the arrests send an important message that gang-related violence will not be tolerated. “The brazen attacks that occurred in and around the Athlone Magistrate’s Court represent a direct challenge to the authority of the State and a complete disregard for human life. It is critical that SAPS and the NPA act swiftly against all gang groupings."
Simmers reiterated his concern over the high prevalence of gang-related shootings and killings over the past few months.
“While I welcome these arrests as a positive step, we now urgently require watertight dockets to be presented to court to ensure successful prosecutions in these gang related shootings and killings. Those who commit violent crimes must face the full might of the law. We will not allow criminal groupings to operate with impunity or with disregard for human life and the authority of the State."
He welcomed the continued deployment of additional SAPS resources in the Western Cape and called for sustained, intelligence-driven operations targeting illegal firearms, which remain the weapon of choice in gang-related violence on the Cape Flats.
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