South Africa – War Against Illegal Arms: Police Destroy Over 14,000 Firearms In Gauteng

By: Thandeka Kosa, South Africa

In an effort to remove illegal guns from streets and communities in South Africa, the police authorities on Thursday destroyed tons of guns and ammunition in Gauteng.

According to Sedibeng Ster, a local newspaper in Gauteng, over 14,000 firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition in Boipatong (a local community in the Gauteng) were destroyed, marking the first mass destruction of weapons for the 2024/2025 financial year.

The destruction, carried out under heavy police presence, saw the culmination of a year-long operation where these weapons were seized across the nation during various policing operations.

While some of these guns were handed in voluntarily by citizens, (this was done so during raids conducted by the South African Police Sector ‘SAPS’), many were confiscated in high-stakes police searches and crime-busting missions.

The South African Police Service is a people-oriented service. It is a service for the community by the community with the emphasis on the fundamental rights of all the peoples of South Africa. The rationale is based on the needs of people and the flexibility of policing, which is the basis for community policing. It involves a consultative approach in which the community is the key stakeholder. The Constitution is the highest law in South Africa and provides the fundamental legal framework within which the South African Police Service must operate. No one is above the law and the police have to act against every offender.

The Acting Component Head for Firearm, Liquor, and Second-Hand Goods (FLASH), Brigadier Nonhlanhla Skhakhane, officiated the proceedings, joined by a cohort of senior South African Police Service management.

Since 2019, SAPS has destroyed a staggering 263,545 firearms, a testament to their relentless efforts to clean the streets of illegal weapons.

This latest batch adds to the growing tally, symbolizing hope for safer communities and a crackdown on gun-related crimes.

Many citizens applauded the move, seeing it as a step towards safer neighborhoods.

Caption: Brigadier Nonhlanhla Skhakhane and Colonel Khumalo showcasing the firearms prior to their destruction.