Cape Town – A 29-year-old woman from Cape Town has been charged with assisting her father, an alleged member of the notorious "Fancy Boys" gang, in running a gun storage facility. Aqeelah Alexander appeared in the Bellville Magistrates Court yesterday, joining her father, Marwaan "Wonky" Alexander, and her mother, Raushan de Villiers, who were arrested a week prior on a string of related charges.
The couple, residing in Labiance, were apprehended at a storage unit in Bellville South last Monday. According to a source within the Daily Voice, Alexander was caught "red-handed" inside the unit, allegedly loading guns and ammunition from a Golf 7 GTI when police officers swooped in.
Brigadier Novela Potelwa, a police spokesperson, detailed the extensive arsenal uncovered during the operation. Cops discovered three AK 47 rifles, one R5 rifle, one assault rifle, 12 pistols, three Uzzis, four shotguns, two revolvers, 50,000 Mandrax tablets, six M26 grenades, and a large quantity of assorted ammunition rounds.
The operation then led the team to a second storage facility in Stikland later that evening, where they confiscated a package containing two kilograms of heroin. The discovery prompted the additional arrest of Aqeelah Alexander, who now faces drug charges related to the heroin found in the unit, estimated to be worth approximately R600,000.
Captain FC van Wyk confirmed Aqeelah's arrest, stating: "This office can confirm that a 29-year-old female was arrested and appeared in the Bellville Magistrates court on charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs as well as the possession of illegal explosives."
Court documents reveal that Aqeelah had signed the lease agreements for the storage units. Furthermore, affidavits read into the record by investigating officers from the Anti-Gang Unit stated that Aqeelah admitted to police that she had lent her father the keys to the units.
Aqeelah was initially released on R20,000 bail on the drug charge. She was subsequently taken to another courtroom where she was joined to her parents’ gun case. In the firearms case, Aqeelah and her mother were granted bail of R30,000 each. Marwaan Alexander, however, opted not to apply for bail at this stage. The case has been postponed until 5 September.
Defence Advocate Bruce Hendricks confirmed the release of his clients on bail but declined to provide further comment on the ongoing investigation. The arrest and subsequent charges highlight the ongoing battle against gang-related activities and illegal arms in Cape Town.
