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The South African Police Service (SAPS) faced the parliamentary portfolio committee on police, revealing a discrepancy between its ability to ascertain the firearm competency of its members and its drive for technological advancement in crime-fighting. While the exact number of officers lacking competency to handle firearms remains unknown, SAPS expressed optimism regarding their technological advancements aimed at combating crime more effectively.
The development of a new Firearm Control Management System is underway, set to replace the flawed Enhanced Firearm Registry System. The introduction of this system promises streamlined processes for the application and payment of firearm licenses online, a feature that extends to licensed firearm dealers for electronic return submissions. Not only does this digital initiative seek to simplify administrative tasks, but it also offers users the ability to track their application statuses through personal profiles, bolstering transparency and efficiency in firearm management.
In light of the challenges to provide the committee with precise figures on firearm competencies among its ranks, SAPS instead focused on its technological endeavors, hoping to inspire confidence in its modernization strategy. By the target date of March 2026, the service aims to have the new system fully operational, running concurrently with the old one to ensure a smooth transition.
Technological upgrades are a central theme for SAPS, with initiatives including body and dashboard cameras as well as artificial intelligence-driven systems. Lt. Gen. Edith Nonkululeko Mavundla highlighted that these technologies, though still in trial phases, are essential and that bodycams were currently undergoing a "proof of concept" to determine specifications for wide-scale deployment.
The use of drones during large public events and in rescue operations was underlined as a significant improvement for officer safety and surveillance capabilities. However, there is an admission of challenges in retaining skilled personnel such as drone pilots.
Despite technological strides in urban regions, committee members raised pertinent questions about the extendability of these advancements to rural areas. Mavundla acknowledged the infrastructure disparities, citing a continued reliance on analogue technologies that are still relevant and maintained in these regions.
Concerns regarding the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and its efficacy were also addressed, with Mavundla affirming its real-time operational usage in identifying individuals and verifying prior convictions without confirming resolution of historical performance issues.
Finally, the pressing matter of facial recognition technology and its application was discussed. SAPS plans to tap into existing networks within the private security sector to avoid duplicating infrastructures, thereby capitalizing on already deployed resources to enhance identification and tracking capabilities, especially in border controls.
Despite SAPS's inability to clarify firearm proficiency stats, it is evident that the organization is betting on technology as the keystone of modern policing—a progressive albeit challenging endeavor. Key stakeholders will be watching closely to see if these investments translate into tangible safety gains for the citizens of South Africa.