The South African Police Service (SAPS) has destroyed 11 859 firearms and firearm parts as part of a nationwide effort to curb gun violence and prevent illegal weapons from finding their way back onto the streets.
The destruction, overseen by Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo on Wednesday, coincided with International Firearm Destruction Day, a United Nations campaign observed annually on 9 July.
Thousands of Weapons Taken Out of Circulation
According to SAPS, the weapons destroyed included:
9 596 handguns
1 102 rifles
798 shotguns
33 combination firearms
330 firearm parts
The latest batch brings the total number of firearms destroyed by police over the past seven years to 317 811.
Police said most of the weapons were confiscated during crime-fighting operations, including Operation Shanela, while others were voluntarily surrendered during firearm amnesty periods.
All firearms underwent auditing and ballistic testing to determine whether they had been used in crimes before being forfeited to the State and permanently disposed of.
Linked to Violent Crimes
Of the firearms destroyed:
157 were linked to finalised cases involving crimes against women and children
Three were connected to cash-in-transit robberies
In addition to the conventional firearms, SAPS also destroyed 4 089 blank guns, airguns and homemade firearms.
Police warned that although such weapons are often perceived as less dangerous, they can be modified to fire live ammunition and are frequently used in criminal activity.
Provinces With the Highest Numbers
Gauteng accounted for the highest number of firearms destroyed, with 3 863 weapons disposed of.
It was followed by:
KwaZulu-Natal – 2 047
Western Cape – 2 037
Eastern Cape – 1 500
The remaining firearms came from the Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Limpopo and North West.
‘Firearms Are Destroying Our Families’
Addressing the event, Boshielo said removing firearms from circulation is critical in the fight against violent crime.
“It is pleasing to note that we are also destroying firearms today that were used in incidents of gender-based violence. Firearms are destroying our families and our communities,” she said.
“The destruction demonstrates government’s commitment to detecting and permanently removing illegal firearms and ammunition from our country.”
Authorities say the ongoing destruction programme forms part of broader efforts to reduce gun-related crimes and strengthen community safety nationwide.
