More than 10k Illegal firearm possession cases enrolled in 2 years – Kubayi

Minister of Justice Mmamaloko Kubayi said that more than 10,000 cases of illegal firearm possession were enrolled before the courts in just two years.

However, Kubayi said she is unable to provide the total number of dockets received from the South African Police Service (SAPS) on illegal firearm possession.

She said this is because the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) does not record dockets for decision per crime.

Democratic Alliance (DA) member of Parliament (MP) Glynnis Breytenbach asked Kubayi about the prosecution of cases of illegal firearm possession in the past 24 months.

She also asked about the total number of cases that the SAPS referred to the NPA for prosecution.

Kubayi said information taken from the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) over the past 24 months shows a total of 10,315 new cases related to the various offences of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

But Kubayi said more than half of these cases were withdrawn after enrollment.

She said 101 cases resulted in acquittals, with 1,671 cases finalised with convictions.

But Kubayi said it must be noted that some of the cases that were withdrawn may have been re-enrolled after outstanding investigations were completed and will appear in the number of new cases enrolled.