Latest news with #AndrèTraut
IOL News
11 hours ago
- General
- IOL News
Western Cape police refute City claims of low firearm conviction rates
RECEIPTS City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis Image: File Photo Western Cape police have dismissed as misinformation claims by the City which suggested an 'unacceptably low conviction rate", reported at just 5% for the illegal possession of unlicensed or prohibited firearms. According to police, the figures by the City were inaccurate. The City had implied that the 5% conviction rate was linked to the 1670 firearms confiscated by the City's law enforcement from January 2021 to date, which Saps maintained was 'misleading'. Police were responding to a statement issued by the City on May 23, where they said: 'Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced this week that City policing operations are removing over 400 illegal guns from the streets every year, but a broken criminal justice system secures convictions in just 5% of these cases. The SAPS and prosecutors have secured just 81 convictions so far from the 1 670 guns seized by municipal officers from January 2021 - January 2025.' 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. If the average conviction rate of 85% is to be believed, that would mean that SAPS obtained a staggering total of 11 668 convictions if every arrest actually made it to trial,' he said. Mayor Georgin Hill-Lewis added that conviction rates of 80-90% are 'misleading' due to how many cases never go to trial. 'Our experience is that despite City policing operations removing over 400 illegal guns from the streets every year, the vast majority of these cases do not go to trial due to our broken criminal justice system, which secured convictions in just 5% of the 1 670 cases of illegal guns seized by City officers over four years.'
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- 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
23-05-2025
- IOL News
Attack on Kleinvlei police station could be linked to crackdown on gangs
DAMAGE The windows at the police station were shot. Image: Supplied THE attack on the Kleinvlei police station may have been in response to the police's crackdown on gangs in the area. The Kleinvlei station came under attack on Wednesday night after recent arrests were made. According to sources, unknown gunmen fired 32 shots at the building in suspected retaliation and it is alleged that members affiliated with the gangs believed that Kleinvlei SAPS had made the arrests. No injuries were reported however there is damage to the structure. Image: Supplied 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 ✕ Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said: 'Shortly before midnight, Kleinvlei police station came under attack when unidentified assailants opened fire on the building from a charcoal-coloured VW Polo. 'Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident resulted only in structural damage to the facility.' He added that the matter was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation. The incident comes after Edmincha 'Netta' Wildebess, 25, who lived in Spandau, Kleinvlei, was shot in the street in a red VW Polo behind the Mfuleni Magistrates Court and police station in Blue Downs. Wildebess, who was sitting in the back passenger seat of the vehicle, is believed to have not been the intended target of the hit. It is alleged that the actual target is a person who is a leader figure and released on bail. It is further alleged that the leader figure is in conflict with the Dixie Boys gang and Beach Cats gang. COP SHOP SHOT Kleinvlei SAPS under attack by gangs. Image: Piet Smit It is alleged that Netta was linked to the Horribles gang, operating in Kleinvlei and was set to appear at the court. Kleinvlei Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson David Poggenpoel told the Daily Voice that: 'The motive for the shooting is not known although there is a suspicion and is something that can be factored in, perhaps the local police at Kleinvlei in recent times as from the weekend have been quite active in addressing a certain gang in a certain area here in Kleinvlei with assistance from the Anti-Gang Unit. 'There was quite a bit of activity and up until yesterday, there was arrests made and a firearm seized so there is a vague suspicion that it could be reprised from a certain gang to intimidate, that could be a motive but I cannot substantiate that really.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
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.
