2,523 South African police guns were stolen and lost, including a grenade launcher

Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, revealed that 2,346 South African Police Service firearms were stolen and 177 were lost over the last 4 years.

Cachalia shared this information in response to a parliamentary question from Wouter Wessels, a member of the National Assembly.

Wessels asked Cachalia about the number of firearms and ammunition that were stolen or lost over the last four financial years.

He also asked about the steps the SA Police Service has taken to combat the theft and loss of firearms and ammunition.

Cachalia responded, saying 2,523 South African Police Service (SAPS) firearms were reported stolen or lost over the last four years.

These were mostly 9 x 19 mm Parabellum pistols, but also included 66 Vektor R5 rifles, 19 shotguns, 4 R1 rifles, and a grenade launcher.

He added that 194,920 rounds of official SAPS ammunition were reported as stolen or lost over the four years.

“The South African Police Service has implemented measures to prevent the theft, loss and unauthorised use of official firearms and ammunition,” Cachalia said.

He explained that National Instruction 6 of 2018 regulates the administration, use, storage and safeguarding of official firearms and ammunition.

Official firearms are administered through the Provisioning Administration System (PAS), while all newly procured firearms are Dot Peen-marked with an SAPS identifier.

These newly procured firearms are also subjected to Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) testing prior to distribution.

“Members are required to utilise firearm retention mechanisms where prescribed,” Cachalia explained.

“All official firearms and ammunition not in use must be stored in approved safes or strong rooms that comply with the prescribed standards.”

He added that regular inspections and certification processes are conducted, and operational ammunition is marked to enhance accountability and traceability.

The Acting Minister of Police said that 893 people have been arrested in relation to the theft and loss of firearms and ammunition.

“Of these, 80 persons have been found guilty, of whom 41 are members of the South African Police Service,” he said.

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The number of official South African Police Service firearms reported as stolen or lost

Financial Year	Stolen	Lost
2022/23	704	39
2023/24	686	55
2024/25	524	48
2025/26	403	34
From 1 April 2026	29	1
Total	2 346	177

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The reported losses by firearm type and calibre

Firearm Type	Calibre	Total
Pistol	9 x 19 mm Parabellum	2 427
Shotgun	12 Bore	19
Vektor R5 Rifle	5.56 x 45 mm	66
FN R1 Rifle	7.62 x 51 mm	4
Target Rifle	7.62 x 51 mm	1
Grenade Launcher	37 mm	1
Total	–	2 523

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The number of rounds of official SAPS ammunition reported as stolen or lost

Financial Year	Total Ammunition Reported Stolen or Lost
2022/23	112 786
2023/24	26 369
2024/25	27 413
2025/26	26 661
From 1 April 2026	1 691
Total	194 920

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