DA lays charges with SIU for questionable pistol tender at Gauteng Community Safety Department
29 October 2024
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed criminal charges with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate a dubious tender awarded by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. This tender involved the procurement of 124 pistols for a staggering R9.7 million, which averages R78 000 per pistol.
The suspicious awarding of this tender, which seems irregular given the exorbitant pricing of these pistols, is detailed in the Annual Report of the Department of Community Safety.
Research indicates that SAPS are issued with pistols such as the Vektor Z88 and newer models like the Beretta, Sig Sauer, and Glock 9mm, typically ranging from R8 000 to R20 000 each. The department's overspending of at least R58 000 on each pistol indicates that the tender process may not have been conducted transparently and could involve undue influence or irregular expenditure.
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, who oversees the Department of Community Safety, is primarily responsible for awarding the questionable tender, which reflects serious oversight under his leadership. Despite being aware that Gauteng is facing a severe crime crisis, consistently having areas ranking among the top 30 for violent crime in our country and having only 143 police stations to serve approximately 16 million residents, the Premier has allowed funds to be squandered on this tender.
The funds wasted on this questionable tender could have been better allocated towards essential resources, such as additional vehicles for police patrols, advanced crime-fighting technologies like ShotSpotter systems, or necessary safety gear for Community Policing Forum (CPF) members and patrollers.
Furthermore, the scant detail regarding the distribution of these pistols is a pressing concern. It is imperative to ascertain who will receive these pistols and whether proper gun competency training has been mandated and completed. If there is anything that can be learned from the Amapanyaza is that we must prioritise comprehensive training for law enforcers before equipping them with weapons. Neglecting this essential step jeopardises both safety and effectiveness in our communities.
The DA has laid charges and is committed to ensuring accountability and consequences for politicians and officials who fail to execute their duties. We trust that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will leave no stone unturned in probing this tender. The safety and security of our communities depend on the integrity of our procurement processes and the training of those entrusted with firearms.
A DA government would not have allowed the awarding of this tender. We believe in investing in our police stations and ensuring that law enforcement agencies are adequately trained and equipped to address crime in the province. We prioritise these efforts over tenders that are likely intended to benefit a corrupt few in government.
The DA will closely monitor the case's outcome, trusting that the wheels of justice will not turn slowly, as Gauteng residents deserve answers.
Issued by Crezane Bosch, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, 29 October 2024
