Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Roy Jankielsohn MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL
SAPS members in the Free State are not meeting the necessary firearm training requirements and pose a danger to the public. The MEC responsible for Community Safety, Roads and Transport in the Free State, Mr Jabu Mbalula, indicated in a reply to a DA question in the Free State Legislature that SAPS members issued with firearms have not maintained the required training due to the following reasons:
- A shortage of 9mm and R5 ammunition to conduct training.
- Only one shooting range is available in the Free State for the SAPS at Makwane in the Eastern Free State, which is far from most other areas and in a dilapidated state.
- SANDF and Correctional Services shooting ranges do not accommodate the SAPS with slots to complete necessary shooting assessments.
This implies that SAPS members who carry firearms and are mandated by the state to use them if necessary, in line with their responsibilities, are not competent to do so.
Furthermore, 221 members do not comply with the legal requirements in terms of the training required by the Firearms Control Act, and 3424 SAPS Act members do not meet the requirements to maintain firearm competency. This has serious legal implications for SAPS members who may use their firearms and have been issued firearms illegally. Last year, in 2025/26, only 190,260 rounds of ammunition were available for training and 75,354 for operational use, which is inadequate since 58% of SAPS members in the Free State have been issued with firearms.
Another concern is that in the last three years, three firearms have been lost and 34 have been stolen. These firearms are now in the hands of criminals who will not hesitate to use them against law-abiding citizens.
While members of the public face prosecution by the SAPS for not complying with the conditions to possess a firearm as required by the Firearms Control Act and its regulations, the SAPS appear to be above the law, and those who use and carry firearms without the necessary legal compliance could even face prosecution. The lack of support for the SAPS and their non-compliance with legal requirements to carry and use firearms implies that citizens, in conjunction with community organisations and private security, must defend themselves against criminals.
The DA will continue to fight for a well-trained and resourced SAPS that is able to carry out its mandate to protect our citizens and detect and apprehend criminals.