Nearly 400 firearms and over 29,000 rounds of ammunition stolen in 6 months

Lester Kiewit interviews Lesiba Thobakgale, National Spokesperson for the South African Policing Union.

Listen below.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has disclosed that nearly 400 police firearms and over 29 000 rounds of ammunition were lost or stolen in the six months from October 2023 to March 2024.

In a report to Parliament, Mchunu indicated that 371 firearms were officially recorded as lost or stolen during the latter half of the 2023/2024 financial year, although 120 of those were subsequently recovered.

The minister also noted that 191 police officers had their service weapons stolen from them, resulting in 123 arrests across 331 case files.

His statements were made in response to a written inquiry from Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana.

Thobakgale highlights a concerning trend: off-duty police officers are becoming frequent targets for criminals, often left vulnerable without the protection of their units or backup while carrying their firearms.

"We are saying as the South African Policing Union, that police officers should at all times be vigilant."

- Lesiba Thobakgale, National Spokesperson – South African Policing Union

Thobakgale says that when police officers carry out their duties under the law, it can provoke resentment among criminals, potentially leading to retaliation.

He expresses concern over the increasing number of police fatalities, both on and off duty, and urges officers to "do what they need to do," provided it remains within the legal framework.

"If their lives are in danger, it is a choice to say who must die – is it a police officer or is it a criminal?"

- Lesiba Thobakgale, National Spokesperson – South African Policing Union

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.