Late last year members of the Provincial Anti-Economic Crime Task Team received information about five males carrying firearms who were extorting money from spaza shops at the Cosovo and Samora Machel areas, in Cape Town.
The members reacted swiftly, and on arrival in the area community members confirmed the incident and that the suspects had gone towards Philippi.
The suspects were traced to Browns Farm where they were found carrying backpacks. They were stopped and searched, and coins and packets of cigarettes were found in their possession. An assault rifle and two prohibited firearms were found hidden under the mattress in a shack. The two suspects were arrested.