Police Oversight and Community Safety
Question by Hon TCR Walters
(1) (a) In the last 36 months, in how many instances were items of (i) firearm-related and (ii) narcotic-related evidence, which had been removed from SAP-13 storerooms in Western Cape SAPS precincts, (aa) lost, (bb) stolen or (cc) otherwise removed without proper authorisation and (b) what are the relevant details of each incident;
(2) (a) in the last 36 months, in how many instances were officially issued SAPS-owned firearms (i) lost and (ii) stolen and (b) what are the relevant details of each incident;
(3) whether any arrests have been made as a result of these incidents; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
The reply of the South African Police Service (SAPS):
14. (1)(a) (i) (aa) None.
(bb) Seven reported instances.
(cc) None.
(ii) (aa) None.
(bb) None.
(cc) None.
(b) (i) (aa) Not Applicable.
(bb) In all seven instances the firearms were booked out of the SAPS 13 exhibit store, with the purpose to be conveyed to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis.
(cc) Not Applicable.
(ii) (aa) Not Applicable.
(bb) Not Applicable.
(cc) Not Applicable.
(2)(a) (i) 8 – These includes firearms under Provincial and National responsibilities however, occurred in the Western Cape.
(ii) 103 – These includes firearms under Provincial and National responsibilities however, occurred in the Western Cape.
(b) Refer to attached Annexure A page 2.
(3) Cases pertaining to the removal and theft of firearm from the exhibit stores are investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and two arrest were made.
The following refers to the lost/ stolen firearms: Refer to attach Annexure A
page 3.
