Firearms and ammunition seized by police in Cape Town during April remain stored in station evidence rooms instead of undergoing mandatory forensic analysis, according to Ian Cameron, DA MP and chairperson of the National Portfolio Committee on Police. The failure to transfer these items—which include zip guns and weapons with serial numbers removed—to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) risks stalling investigations into murders, robberies, and gang-related shootings across multiple precincts, including Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, and Khayelitsha.
Audit Demanded for High-Crime Precincts
According to SAPS procedures, evidence requiring forensic examination must be forwarded to the FSL within 24 hours of being booked into a SAPS 13 store. For items seized over weekends or holidays, the transfer must occur on the first available working day. Cameron, who first raised concerns on May 19, has requested a full written explanation from the South African Police Service and an audit of storage facilities in high-crime areas. He stated that failing to process these exhibits in a timely manner prevents investigators from identifying links between seized weapons and other violent crimes.
Did You Know?
SAPS procedures mandate that firearms and ammunition exhibits requiring forensic analysis must be forwarded to the FSL within 24 hours of being booked into an evidence room, or by the first available working day if seized over a weekend.
History of Missing Evidence at Mitchells Plain and Bellville South
The current concerns follow a pattern of missing evidence that has plagued local stations for years. Crime-fighting organizations are calling for a new probe into 56 firearms that disappeared between Mitchells Plain and Bellville South police stations in less than a decade. In November 2023, 15 firearms and eight imitation guns went missing while being transported from Mitchells Plain to the FSL in Plattekloof. Those items were never booked in at the laboratory, and no receipt was returned to the station. This incident mirrors losses reported in 2017, when 15 firearms vanished from Mitchells Plain and 18 went missing from Bellville South.
SAPS Response and Future Oversight
Western Cape police spokesperson Andre Traut stated that the police service respects the oversight role of Members of Parliament but noted that these matters are best addressed within parliamentary platforms. Traut emphasized that the forensic analysis of seized firearms remains a policing priority. Abie Isaacs, chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, argued that a special probe into the handling of these exhibits is now more necessary than ever, particularly in light of recent mass shootings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of weapons were found sitting in evidence rooms?
According to Ian Cameron, the exhibits include firearms with serial numbers removed, prohibited firearms, homemade “zip guns,” and live ammunition.
Which police stations are affected by these delays?
The exhibits are linked to cases across several stations, including Philippi East, Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Delft, Mfuleni, Athlone, Grassy Park, Steenberg, and Bishop Lavis.
What happened to the firearms lost in November 2023?
According to reports, 15 firearms and eight imitation guns disappeared while being transported from Mitchells Plain police station to the FSL in Plattekloof. They were never booked into the facility, and the station did not receive a receipt for the delivery.
How will the delay in forensic processing impact the safety of the communities served by these stations?