The South African: SAPS crisis: ‘Tens of thousands’ of guns ‘missing’ from police stations

Action Society says that the 158 guns stolen in Norwood are just the tip of the iceberg. The group’s Ian Cameron says that between 2005 and 2017 alone, over 26 000 guns were stolen from police or simply went “missing. Cameron says these guns were all issued to police officers.

To make matters worse, Cameron says that Norwood Police has had a “missing” incident like this before.

“In 2014, 112 assault rifles, handguns, commercial explosives and detonators were seized from a house belonging to an elderly Ukrainian couple in Norwood. It was discovered that the seized firearms were removed from the station’s evidence storeroom. These firearms were handed in to be destroyed by civilians who sought amnesty. This is a clear indication that this illegal practice within the station is still at work.”

Ian Cameron from Action Society

A BIGGER PROBLEM AT PLAY?

Cameron is now looking to shine the light on what he calls a lack of accountability from SAPS. Action Society says SAPS has not had a satisfactory (or running) gun ownership permit system. The system was allegedly turned off due to the non-payment of the company providing the system.

Cameron says this means that there is no electronic system in place to track stolen SAPS firearms.

“This issue has been lingering for the past nine months and due to the rise of criminal activity in relation to stolen firearms, a deeper investigation is required into administration of SAPS firearms.”

But what is our police service doing about it? This week, the Norwood SAPS Station Commander resigned in response to the theft. Parliament is also demanding PROPER answers. Will we get them?

 

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/guns-stolen-saps/

Is there justice in SA?

At Action Society, we often see delays in the justice system. What do you think? Have you experienced this too?

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