Parliament, Tuesday, 19 May 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has raised serious concerns following reports that numerous firearms and ammunition seized by the City of Cape Town Safety and Security Directorate during April were not submitted to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis.
Mr Cameron said the alleged failure to process the exhibits in accordance with South African Police Service (SAPS) national instructions undermines criminal investigations and weakens the fight against violent crime.
“The committee has previously argued that the drive to remove firearms from our streets depends on ensuring prosecutions. If the information in the City of Cape Town is correct, it is a direct confirmation that the police are not actively committed to the fight to remove firearms from the streets,” said Mr Cameron.
The Chairperson highlighted those illegal firearms, with serial numbers removed, zip guns and live ammunition, are required to be submitted to the FSL within 24 hours, or on the first working day after a weekend. Failure to comply with these procedures constitutes a serious breakdown in evidence management and docket oversight.
“A firearm taken off the street is only the first step. If SAPS fails to send that firearm for ballistic testing, the investigation is weakened before it even reaches court. This is exactly the type of basic failure that allows violent offenders to escape accountability, which is now aided and abetted by the SAPS,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
The Chairperson further warned that prolonged storage of exhibits in SAPS 13 stores increases the risk of theft, tampering and contamination of evidence, potentially compromising future prosecutions. This concern is particularly significant in the context of persistent gang-related violence and high murder rates in the City of Cape Town.
Considering these concerns, Mr Cameron has called on the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner to provide a full and transparent account regarding:
1. Whether each exhibit has now been sent to the FSL;
2. The dates on which each exhibit was received and dispatched;
3. The reasons for the delays;
4. Whether detective commanders conducted the required docket inspections;
5. What disciplinary measures will be taken where negligence is identified; and
6. Whether SAPS will conduct audits of SAPS 13 stores at high-crime stations to identify similar failures.
Mr Cameron stressed that SAPS cannot be allowed to undermine its own procedures and regulations. “If left unattended, this matter will, inadvertently, contribute to increasing crime trends. Accountability within the SAPS has to be improved to ensure that correct processes are followed from station level upwards,” said Mr Cameron.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
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