Police probe drowning of Polish couple at Table Bay Harbour
Police in Cape Town said they are investigating the drowning of an elderly couple at the Table Bay Harbour on Wednesday.
The couple, believed to be in their 70s, are Polish nationals.
The Western Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, said police were called to the Cape Royal Yacht Club in the morning.
'At approximately 8.15 am, police divers discovered the bodies of a man and a woman in the water. An inquest docket has been opened by Table Bay Harbour police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,' Traut said.
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Provincial police spokesperson, Andrè Traut said this was incorrect. 'The Western Cape SAPS has noted with concern recent claims suggesting an unacceptably low conviction rate, reported at just 5% for the illegal possession of unlicensed or prohibited firearms. Firearm-related crime remains a top priority for SAPS in the Western Cape, where firearms are frequently used to commit serious and violent offences. In response, SAPS members are relentlessly pursuing armed criminals, aiming not only to remove illegal firearms from our communities but also to ensure the successful prosecution of those found in possession of them. Contrary to the inaccurate figures being circulated, an analysis of our conviction record paints a far more accurate and encouraging picture. Our detectives have consistently achieved strong conviction rates." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading According to Saps their numbers showed an over 80% conviction rate for the past three years: 2021/2022 financial year: 86% conviction rate for illegal possession of firearms 2022/2023 financial year: 86% conviction rate for illegal possession of firearms 2023/2024 financial year: 89% conviction rate for illegal possession of firearms 'These results reflect the dedicated efforts of the investigators, prosecutors, and the broader criminal justice system to hold offenders accountable and enhance public safety and are the rates for all firearms confiscated by SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. Our mission remains to foster safer communities across the Western Cape. Misinformation, especially when it undermines public confidence in policing and the justice system, can generate unwarranted fear and mistrust. It is therefore essential that accurate and verified data be shared responsibly to support, rather than hinder, our collective efforts in fighting crime,' Traut added. Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith maintained their 5% conviction rate was calculated and derived from the number of arrests they recorded. 'When looking at the statistics presented by SAPS, it is clear that a fundamental component of their calculation is absent: they have not indicated exactly how many of the cases actually went to court. It is feasible to get a conviction rate between 80% and 90% when you are only measuring the portion of the cases that make it to court. 'According to the SAPS statistics for the period between January 2020 and December 2024 a total of 13 727 arrests were made for the illegal possession of firearms. 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TimesLIVE
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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.
