More than 39 000 SAPS officers not competent with firearms 

27 July 2014

A reply to a DA parliamentary question revealed that only 116 201 of approximately 155 534 operational South African Police Services (SAPS) members were competent in the minimum standards for firearm competency. 

This means that 39 333 (25.3%) of the operational SAPS officers do not have the requisite competency to carry a firearm. This confirms a 2012 leaked performance audit which revealed that 27 000 police officers had failed their firearms proficiency test. 

It is of great concern that not all of our police service members have the necessary training to perform their jobs to their best of their ability. This not only puts them in danger, but it may also result in harm to members of the public, when they perform their duties. 

Indeed, it may contribute to the ‘trigger-happy' firing of weapons, which is increasingly becoming a trend in our SAPS. Between 2009 and 2011, alone, the number of allegations of police brutality increased by 91%.

The Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko, must take urgent steps to address the lack of training that is making police officers a potential danger to the citizens they are tasked with protecting. The DA will submit further parliamentary questions to seek clarity on the status of the 39 333 officers who do not possess firearms or possess firearms without the requisite clearance and urgent measures are going to be introduced to correct this problem.

The DA believes that for a police service to be efficient and effective, the government must ensure that our SAPS are well-resourced and appropriately trained. The DA remains committed to doing everything possible to ensure that this happens.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, July 27 2014

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