Concerns grow as seized firearms remain unchecked in Cape Town police evidence rooms

Scrutiny over firearms storage.

The alarm has been raised that a number of firearms and ammunition seized during April have been left sitting in SAPS 13 stores (evidence rooms) at several Cape Town police stations instead of being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis, which is vital for the outcome of cases.

This was brought to the attention of Ian Cameron, DA MP and chairperson of the National Portfolio Committee on Police, who has since called for an audit at the various stations.

Cameron said the exhibits reportedly include firearms with serial numbers removed, prohibited firearms, homemade “zip guns”, and live ammunition.

They were linked to cases across Philippi East, Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Delft, Mfuleni, Athlone, Grassy Park, Steenberg, and Bishop Lavis, among others.