While SAPS had admitted it ‘lost’ more than 9.5 million rounds of ammunition over the past six financial years, it was this week revealed that cops are unable to complete their firearm-proficiency tests due to a shortage of bullets.
During the same period, 4537 firearms were stolen.
It has been reported that several police officers said they were not carrying their service pistols because they had not completed their annual firearm- proficiency tests.
For this reason, they were not issued permits to use their service firearms.
An officer who spoke to the Cape Argus on condition of anonymity said: “My permit has expired, and I was told I could not complete the test because of the shortage of ammunition.
“I cannot carry my service firearm because if I use it, I could face disciplinary action and even possible prosecution.
“It is safer to leave my weapon at work, but knowing that my life is also in danger,” the cop said.
Senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, Johan Burger, said state arms manufacturer, Denel, is only part of the ammunition shortage problem.
“A lot of ammunition gets stolen and sold to gangs, and several police officers have already been arrested in parts of the country.”
National police spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo, confirmed that SAPS was experiencing a shortage of ammunition due to a manufacturer’s inability to supply the police.