Latest news with #ThembisilePatekile
News24
12-06-2025
- News24
Man arrested after R18m cocaine, arms and ammunition found in Cape Town storage facility
A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a massive stash of drugs, firearms and ammunition found in a storage facility in Cape Town. Fifteen bricks of cocaine worth an estimated R18 million were found, as well as one AK47 rifle, an Uzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition. The man was arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Police have arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with a cache of arms, ammunition and drugs found in a storage unit in the heart of Cape Town's city bowl. Cocaine and weapons worth millions of rand were found at the storage facility in Roeland Street. Officers from the Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence, and provincial organised crime detectives arrested the man for allegedly dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said: 'They conducted a search of the unit upon which they discovered 15 bricks of cocaine of about 15 kilograms (1kg each) with an estimated street value of R18 million as well as one AK47 rifle, an Uzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition.' The man is scheduled to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court. Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile said: 'SAPS remains resolute to eradicate drug abuse and the prevalence of firearms which poses a threat to the safety of communities in the Western Cape.' Earlier this year, Western Cape police confiscated mandrax tablets worth more than R5.5 million in two busts over three days. Anti-Gang Unit officers uncovered R4 million worth of mandrax at a 'stronghold of one of the major gangs' in Mitchells Plain. In a separate incident days later, police searched a car on the N1 highway and found a consignment of mandrax tablets valued at around R1.5 million. At the time, Patekile said the prevalence of drugs in the Western Cape was 'problematic' and was linked to gang activity. He said there was a link between the drug trade, illegal firearms and gangsterism. Crime expert Guy Lamb previously told News24 that while mandrax was often circulated on the local market, other drugs - such as cocaine and heroin - often moved through the country, destined for other, wealthier markets. Gangs play a key role in both the arrival of drugs into the local market, the sale of those drugs, as well as the transportation of drugs through the country to other markets, he said. The ENACT Organised Crime Index for Africa, produced by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC), found that the cocaine trade in southern Africa was growing, and South Africa was at the heart of the illicit market. The global crime index's report described South Africa as 'a key player in the global cocaine trade'. South Africa also has the highest prevalence of cocaine consumption in Africa, the report found.
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Bricks of cocaine worth R18m and guns seized in Cape Town CBD
Fifteen bricks of cocaine worth an estimated R18m have been seized with several firearms from a storage facility in the Cape Town CBD. The police raid on a self-storage facility in Roeland Street on Tuesday also led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man for allegedly dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. 'Armed with intelligence about drugs and firearms being stored at the address, the officers operationalised the information and pounced on the self-storage facility where they found the suspect at one of the units,' said spokesperson Capt Frederick van Wyk. 'They conducted a search of the unit upon which they discovered 15 bricks of cocaine of about 15kg [1kg each] with an estimated street value of R18m as well as one AK-47 rifle, an Uzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition.' The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town magistrate's court soon. The bust was the culmination of an intelligence-led operation by members of the police anti-gang unit, crime intelligence and provincial organised crime detectives. Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile said the drugs and firearms could have caused havoc in the wrong hands in communities where gang and gun violence are prevalent.
TimesLIVE
30-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Cape Town cop shot dead outside his home in Muizenberg
A police sergeant in uniform was shot dead outside his home while leaving for work early on Friday in Cape Town. The 48-year-old officer's body was discovered at 5am outside his home in Vrygrond, Muizenberg. 'He sustained fatal gunshot wounds. At the time of the incident, he was in uniform and en route to report for duty at Wynberg SAPS. His family members, who were inside the residence, were unharmed,' said police spokesperson Col Andrè Traut. The Hawks were assigned to lead the investigation. Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile said no resource would be spared in the pursuit of those behind the shooting. 'An attack on any member of the SA Police Service will be met with the full force of the law. We will not rest until justice is served,' he said. Anyone with information that could assist in solving the case is urged to contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600-10111.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- IOL News
Western Cape grapples with over 2 000 drug houses
As the number of drug houses in the Western Cape exceeds 2,000, the DA demands immediate intervention to protect vulnerable communities. Image: file Just days after Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile released the fourth quarter crime statistics for 2024/25, it has been revealed that the province is home to over 2 000 drug houses. According to DA Western Cape spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, Thomas Walters, police stated that in the past 12 months, 697 drug houses were shut down with links to organised crime, while there were 2 032 drug dens in the province. 'The Western Cape continues to face a harrowing battle against drugs and organised crime. In reply to a DA parliamentary question, the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed that there are currently 2 032 known drug houses operating within the province,' said Walters. 'According to SAPS, in the past 12 months, 697 drug houses were shut down, a commendable but ultimately insufficient response considering the sheer scale of the problem. Of the drug houses that were closed, 629 had links to organised crime, underlining the entrenched and dangerous networks exploiting vulnerable communities.' Walters said the numbers reflect a crisis that cuts across urban and rural divides, affecting families, fuelling gang violence, and deepening social instability. He detailed that the devastating effects of drug houses on our communities cannot be overstated. 'They serve as hubs for addiction, violence, and criminal recruitment - particularly targeting our youth. Entire neighbourhoods are being held hostage by the threat and reality of drug-related crime, with communities losing trust in law enforcement and hope in a safer future. 'We call on SAPS and the Minister of Police to urgently scale-up resources that enable intelligence-driven operations, dismantle criminal networks, and ensure that arrests lead to successful prosecutions,' he added. 'If SAPS is unable to get a grip on the drug trade that fuels so much violence across the province, the national government must devolve power over policing to capable provincial and local governments, so that we can do what needs to be done to end the killing. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. 'Furthermore, we call on the National Government to invest in preventative programmes, treatment centres, and support systems to help communities break the cycle of addiction and violence.' In March police made a breakthrough in drug cases when members of the Provincial Operational Command Centre responded to information that drugs were being sold from a business in Koeberg Road, Brooklyn. Once inside, they discovered a box with plastic bags containing about 9.5 kg of methamphetamine (tik) with an estimated value of R3.34 million in an adjacent room. A 50-year old Nigerian national was arrested at the scene. Cape Argus
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
Here's where you're more likely to get killed in Western Cape
Guns are the preferred weapons of murder in the province. The Western Cape has recorded reductions in murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault and robbery. However, police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile says more needs to be done. Patekile presented the crime statistics for the fourth and final quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year on Monday. He was joined by the MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, the Chairperson of the Provincial CPF Board, Ms Francina Lukas, and Member of Parliament Dereleen James at a media briefing held in Green Point. ALSO READ: Four suspects arrested in connection with fatal kidnapping case in Western Cape 'While proactive policing efforts and numerous anti-crime initiatives have been implemented across the province, more work remains to be done,' said Patekile. He emphasised the need for continued collaboration and called on other government departments and community organisations to intensify their support in the fight against crime. 'Rapid response interventions that are set to commence soon are expected to bring some relief to communities plagued by gang violence and criminal activity. These improvements signal progress, but the Saps remains committed to further strengthening safety and security across the Western Cape.' Western Cape crime stats The province recorded an increase in cases of assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm – 6 465 recorded between January 2025 and March 2025, compared to 6 330 from the same period last year. Sexual assault cases were 411 during this period, compared to 396 last year. There was an increase in arson cases, from 175 to 190. ALSO READ: Western Cape's anti-gang unit makes dent in crime despite detective and vehicle shortage Rape cases were 1 189, compared to 1 243 from the same period last year. According to the crime stats, seven Western Cape police stations were included in the country's most dangerous. These are the Cape Town Central, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Delft, Kraaifontein, Stellenbosch, and Worcester police stations. Arguments, misunderstandings, provocations and fights are the leading causes of murder in the Western Cape, accounting for 237 murders out of the total 1 068 cases. Of the 1 143 cases of attempted murder recorded, 287 cases were caused by the above factors. You're more likely to get killed in a public place, according to the crime stats, with 718 cases of murder, 683 of attempted murder, 2 214 of assault GBH and 108 cases of rape recorded during this period. ALSO READ: Western Cape police launch investigation after Mauritian killed in apparent hit The City of Cape Town district recorded 601 cases of murder in a public place, Cape Winelands district (58), Overberg and West Coast (19), Garden Route district (16) and Central Karoo District (5). Object of murder Most victims in the City of Cape Town district were shot to death, with 554 such murders recorded, while 108 were stabbed with a knife, 61 stabbed with a sharp instrument and 18 killed with a stone, brick or rock. The City of Cape Town district also recorded the highest number of incidents of multiple murders. There were 47 incidents where two people lost their lives, six incidents where three people lost their lives and one incident where five people lost their lives. One of the cases, suspected to be extortion-related, involves five men who were found lying next to a burning Toyota Avanza motor vehicle in Betterlife in February. The victims were all shot, and their bodies were also burned. A sixth victim was also shot in her left thigh after being hit by a stray bullet. READ NEXT: 10 years for Western Cape boy who killed girl for not kissing him
