SUBJECT : 38 ASSAULT RIFLES STOLEN OR LOST IN THE PAST THREE YEARS

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has confirmed in writing that 50 firearms, which includes a machine gun, and one grenade launcher have been stolen from or have been lost by the Defence Force in the past three years (since 2009). This follows in response to a question posed by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP) of the Freedom Front Plus in Parliament.

"What is the most worrying is that 38 of the 50 firearms are automatic assault rifles such as R5, R4 and R1 firearms and one RPK 7,62 mm machine gun. In only two months (Apr -May) of this year 9 automatic assault rifles were stolen or lost (3xR4 and 6xR5). Six R5 assault rifles have disappeared from the Air Force. It is precisely this type of weapon which is used in transit heists but is now also being used in robberies at shopping malls and even in farm attacks," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus said.

"What is further worrying is that the precautionary measures in place, are the same measures the minister stated to be in place in her reply in 2010 to a similar question I posed. That means that there is poor management and poor discipline in the control of firearms in the SANDF. The only thing that is new is that the weapons have been bar-coded with Dot-Peen machines to show that the firearms belong to the Defence Force. The Minister has to state whether disciplinary steps will be instituted against the members who were in charge of the firearms. The current system promotes crime because this type of weapon cannot be owned by members of the public and can only be obtained from the Defence Force or the Police. I will definitely be asking follow-up questions in Parliament of the Minister about disciplinary steps," Groenewald said.

According to the reply of the Minister, seven pistols, 11 x R5 (5,56mm), 21 x R4 (5,56mm), 2 x R1 (7,62mm) and 1 x RPK 7,62mm machine gun, 1 x 40mm grenade launcher and various other firearms have been stolen or lost, since 2009.

Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:†

(1) How many weapons of every (a) kind and (b) calibre of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) have (i) been stolen or (ii) gone missing (aa) in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011 and (bb) since 1 January 2012;

(2) what steps have been taken to combat these thefts and losses;

(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?  

REPLY

(1) Refer to the attached Appendix A

(2) Steps taken to combat these thefts and losses are as follows:

(a) All possible physical measures have been taken to secure weapons in storage. 

(b) All weapons are handed back after use, counted and stores in safekeeping to ensure effective control. 

(c) Weapon permits are issued for all weapons on personal issue (ie. Military Police and VIP protection) on condition that the individual complies with the laid down criteria as stipulated in policy. 

(d) Regular inspections are done as part of unit standing orders to effectively verify and control weapons. 

(e) Stock verification is done on a regular basis to ensure compliance with requirements of policy. 

(f) A central firearms control register is kept and verified with the South African Police Service's firearms control register as a measure to control losses.

(g) The DOD is currently in the process to bar-code all firearms with Dot Peen machines in order to identify firearms as DOD property and to ensure compliance in accordance to the Firearms Control Act. The bar-coding will enhance verification of all firearms belonging to the DOD. A total of 40 000 firearms have already been Dot Peen (bar-coded). The bar-coding project will be completed by the end of August 2012; where after the bar-coding of the rest of the firearms in the DOD will be rolled out.

(3) Not at this stage

Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP),  FF Plus Chief Spokesperson: Defence, September 4 2012

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