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SAPS Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Firearms with Massive Weapon Destruction in Vanderbijlpark

Published July 14, 2024
5 months ago


In a significant stride towards combatting illegal firearms in South Africa, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has recently obliterated a staggering cache of 14,595 firearms and firearm parts in Vanderbijlpark. This latest destruction event is part of an ongoing effort by SAPS to staunch the flow of illicit weapons on the streets, which have been implicated in numerous crimes across the nation.


Since 2019, the determined measures by SAPS have resulted in the elimination of 263,545 firearms, sending a clear message to criminal entities about the agency's dedication to public safety and crime prevention. During the ceremonial destruction, 11,421 handguns, 1,708 rifles, 1,205 shotguns, and 28 combination firearms met their end, ensuring they will never be used for nefarious purposes again.


These firearms, along with various parts and ammunition, were collected during various police operations, including the notable OPERATION SHANELA. A noteworthy portion of the destroyed weapons also comprises those voluntarily surrendered by citizens and those handed in during the gun amnesty periods, demonstrating the public's cooperation with law enforcement initiatives.


Prior to destruction, every piece with a functional mechanism underwent Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) testing. This crucial step was to ascertain if any of the weapons were used in criminal activities, ensuring a thorough investigation process and closing the loop on potential evidence for unsolved crimes.


General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of SAPS, has avowed that the force will heedlessly continue their intensified operations to detect, confiscate, and destroy illegal firearms and ammunition. Given the undisputed association between firearms and high-impact crimes like murders, SAPS is set on doubling down efforts to eliminate these weapons from criminal circulation.


This week's destruction figures by province have yet to be distributed, offering further insight into the geographic distribution of such illegal arms within South Africa. Nonetheless, the resolute action taken by SAPs underscores a steady commitment to disarmament and, subsequently, the overall reduction of crime rates in the country.


As illegal firearms remain the weapon of choice in many violent crimes, initiatives such as these are paramount in establishing a safer environment for all South Africans, reflecting the SAPS's unwavering resolve to uphold the law and protect citizens.



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