PRESS STATEMENT BY
THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY

LACK OF FIREARM CONTROL SHOCKING AND IRRESPONSIBLE, SAYS IFP

Cape Town: 6 June 2001

The Inkatha Freedom Party has described as shocking and irresponsible reports of lack of control of firearms and ammunition. The IFP said this in a statement issued today in reaction to the Auditor–General’s report which highlighted inefficiencies in the control mechanisms at various police stations.

According to the report:

• Stolen weapons were not recorded.
  
• 33 weapons were missing according to the inventory list. Six had been stolen from the members at one police station in Mpumalanga.
  
• The theft of weapons was not reported to the area office.
  
• Inventory lists of weapons were not maintained.
  
• There was no record of weapons having been inspected.
  
• Weapons were not recorded in the GPA.
  
• Firearms were recorded as inventory although they were not in stock.
  
• Firearms were issued without being signed for in the registers.
  
• 30 were reported lost from March 1998 to October 1999 in the Western Cape, most of which having disappeared from employees’ residences.
  

The IFP Safety and Security Spokesperson, Mr Velaphi Ndlovu said:

"It is shocking that in the face of spiraling crime, those entrusted with ensuring the safety of the public can be so reckless. This report suggests irresponsibility on their part. In these circumstances, the public would be tempted to completely lose confidence in the police service.

"We therefore call on the Minister of Safety and Security to institute an urgent investigation into this mess. Heads of those found to be responsible for it must definitely roll."

For Further Information:

Mr VB Ndlovu, MP 083 625 0803
National Parliamentary Media Office 021-403 3965