A Ladysmith police detective is in hot water after he allegedly lost 17 firearms that were in his custody… The detective booked into a hotel on the Durban Beach Front on Tuesday last week and locked evidence (firearms and drugs) he was transporting in his car overnight.
The weapons were being taken to Durban for ballistic testing. The police officer realised the weapons were missing the following morning after finding that his car had been broken into. The detective reported the theft out of his vehicle at Durban Central Police Station.
It is unclear at this stage why the officer did not hand in the firearms when he arrived in Durban and instead chose to keep them in his vehicle overnight.
“Why he chose to leave them in his parked police car overnight is extremely concerning,” said DA Member of Parliament Alf Lees. “The case, which has been widely reported in national media, is shocking. That a Ladysmith policeman could make such a blunder is astounding,” added MP Lees.
It is not clear at this stage how many cases will collapse because of the stolen firearms.
Provincial police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that an incident occurred on January 27 at about 8.30pm, where firearms were allegedly stolen from a vehicle at Snell Parade, Durban. He also confirmed that cases of theft out of a motor vehicle and negligent loss of a firearm had been opened.
He, however, refused to disclose the quantity of firearms missing, saying, “The merits of the case are sub judice as criminal and internal investigations continue.” Initial reports indicated that four firearms were stolen, but the number has risen to 17 according to reports in several national newspapers. The exact number cannot be officially confirmed.
It is alleged that the drug evidence in the vehicle was not touched and only the firearms were taken.
Police have refused to indicate which cases the missing firearms are linked to.
