Over 200 firearms have been lost by Mpumalanga police

There is no clear confirmation if Witbank SAPS is a part of the recent stats that were brought out by the Democratic Alliance.
That Mpumalanga police lost over 200 firearms, this gross negligence of losing firearms show not be taken lightly and should be dealt with swiftly.

At least 214 firearms were either lost or stolen from the Mpumalanga police force with the last three financial years as confirmed by the office of the Provincial Police Commissioner.
Captain Leonard Hlathi, spokesperson for Mpumalanga Police was contacted of Tuesday, July 21 for comment if Witbank SAPS was a part of those statistics for losing firearms. He could not be reached for comment.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lt Gen Mark Magadlela said; “of the 214 firearms that went missing, 107 were stolen and 107 were lost by members of the police force.”

In a press statement he further acknowledged that of the missing 214 firearms, 78 went missing in 2011/2012, 70 in 2012/2013 and 66 in 2013/2014. Only 139 were recovered in that period.
“I can’t comment on this, it has to go through the province spokesperson,” said Sergeant David Ratau communication spokesperson from Witbank SAPS.

This problem seems to only be increasing and places the lives of ordinary South Africans at risk by adding to the number of weapons in circulation on the streets.
“Firearm loss and theft is the most significant source of illegal guns in South Africa, “said Ms Jane Sithole, MPL spokesperson of Community Safety and Security.

The DA has requested the MEC for Community Safety and Security, Mr Vusi Shongwe, to urgently launch an investigation into the loss of firearms in the hands of the police.

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