The police lost over 1 500 more firearms during the past financial year than they did during the previous year, says the Auditor General.
In an audit contained in the South African Police Service 2006/07 annual report, he found 3 856 firearms were reported ”lost, stolen or robbed from personnel throughout the country” during the 12 months up to March 31 this year.
In 2005/6, a total of 2Â 297 firearms were reported having gone missing in this manner.
The AG also said firearm-control registers were not properly maintained by the police in six provinces, but did not specify which.
Further, ”bi-annual firearms inspections were not always performed”.
The audit also found ”inventory differences” to the tune of R18,7-million between what the police actually had in their stores and what was shown on their computer system.
This was based on test counts carried out at 18 inventory stores around the country.
‘Gratifying’
Meanwhile, the annual report confirms police officers’ commitment to serving the community, police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi said on Tuesday.
Commenting on the report tabled in Parliament on Monday, he said the SAPS was a growing establishment and, during the year under review, 9Â 827 entry-level constables successfully completed the Basic Training Learning Programme and graduated from the various police-training institutions throughout the country.
A total of 15Â 164 police members completed the Street Survival Learning Programme, which was essential to ensure operational members were well prepared to protect themselves and their colleagues while performing policing duties.
”It is gratifying to note that 35Â 285 new reservists were recruited, which brought the total number of reservists to 44Â 356,” he said.
To ensure police used the best and most modern technology to prevent and combat crime, a genetic sample-processing system had been installed at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Pretoria, which was used for DNA analysis.
A High Technology Project Centre to coordinate information and use of skills and technology to support investigators in identifying suspects, opposing bail, apprehending wanted persons and establishing links between cases of a serious nature had also been established.
As efforts were intensified to prevent the proliferation of illegal firearms and remove them from society, over 13Â 000 lost or stolen firearms were recovered during the year under review.
The number of firearms destroyed by the SAPS rose from 107Â 468 in 2005/2006 to 160Â 718 in 2006/2007.
Over a million crime-related fingerprint enquiries were received at the SAPS Criminal Record Centre, as well as 912Â 710 non-crime related fingerprint enquiries.
A total of 168Â 732 ballistic cases were received and 48Â 670 biology cases were finalised.
”It is evident from the information contained in our annual report that the members and management of the SAPS remain committed to serving the community — some members even sacrificed their own lives while doing so in 2006/2007,” Selebi said.
There had been a more than eight-fold increase in the value of drugs seized by police at ports of entry and exit in the past financial year, says the report. — Sapa