AfriForum demands police minister’s immediate resignation over stolen firearms

27 July 2023

The civil rights organisation AfriForum calls for the immediate resignation of Bheki Cele, Minister of Police. This follows the revelation that more than 5 000 police issued firearms have been stolen in the last five years.

Cele has also previously admitted that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has lost 8 000 firearms in the last decade.

“Under Cele’s leadership the SAPS has become the main supplier of firearms to criminals. It’s so ironic, it would almost be laughable if it wasn’t costing innocent victims their lives,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety.

“Cele has repeatedly proven that he is more concerned with making speeches and attending photo opportunities than fighting crime in South Africa, he needs to resign with immediate effect,” concluded Broodryk.

Issued by Jacques Broodryk, Spokesperson: Community Safety, AfriForum, 27 July 2023