Lost Firearms Linked to Rise in Violent Crime

South Africa faces a persistent challenge with violent crime, often attributed to illegal firearms. However, investigations reveal the source of these weapons is largely domestic, originating within the country’s own legal gun system.

Lost and Stolen Police Firearms

A parliamentary reply indicated that over 3,400 SAPS-issued firearms were lost or stolen between 2019 and 2024. Only 559 of these weapons were subsequently recovered. These missing firearms are believed to be contributing to murders, robberies, assaults, gang violence, and cash-in-transit heists. The situation presents a stark irony for South Africans, as the weapons used against them may have once belonged to the state.

A Crisis Measured in Numbers

SAPS confiscated 21,702 illegal firearms over the past five years, with 6,853 directly linked to murder cases. More than 40% of murders in South Africa involve a firearm. The provinces of Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng are most affected, recording the highest rates of illegal gun seizures and gun-related killings. Research estimates that approximately 3.8 million unregistered firearms circulate across South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, many originating from civilian losses or stolen state weapons.

Not a Smuggling Problem, a System Failure

Contrary to popular belief, 99% of illegal firearms in South Africa are sourced domestically. Cross-border smuggling has significantly decreased since the 1990s, with only 56 illegal firearms seized at ports of entry in the 2023/24 financial year. The primary issue is the leakage of firearms from police armouries, private homes, and security operations. During the 2023/24 year, 7,736 firearms were reported stolen and 716 were lost. Nearly 2,500 recovered weapons lacked serial numbers, hindering traceability.

One Gun, Many Victims

A recent case in Gauteng involved the arrest of two suspects with 30 unlicensed 9mm firearms believed to be part of a trafficking syndicate. Notably, one firearm used in the 2022 murder of DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards was later linked to at least 10 other murders across provinces, demonstrating the devastating reach of a single illegal weapon.

Civilian and Private Security Blind Spots

Research indicates that firearms lost or stolen from private owners are a common source of illegal guns. Private security companies, often heavily armed due to cash-in-transit risks, also face challenges with theft and internal collusion. Once a gun enters the illegal market, it rarely returns.

The Registry That Can’t Keep Up

The Central Firearms Registry is intended to track all firearms from purchase to destruction. However, weak record-keeping and inadequate oversight make it easy for guns to disappear. Professor Kholofelo Rakubu of Tshwane University of Technology stated that firearms can disappear from state custody with little trace and minimal consequence.

Why This Matters Now

Illegal firearms are central to South Africa’s most violent crimes, including organized gang activity and gender-based violence. Every lost gun represents a potential future victim. Experts emphasize that policing alone is insufficient to address the problem. Tight audits, proper firearm tracking, and accountability for losses are crucial to break the cycle.