130 officers at an important Police Station have expired firearm competency certificates

130 officers at the Rabasotho Police Station in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, hold expired firearm competency certificates, and 92 do not have firearm certificates.

This affects crime prevention and exposes shortcomings in firearm competency compliance and mandatory operational training at the Police Station.

This was revealed by the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, in a written reply to a question tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

Lesufi said that the Rabosotho Police Station has 281 operational members. Of these, 189 have completed firearm competency assessments.

“130 members possess expired firearm competency certificates, and 92 members still require mandatory operational training,” he said.

Refiloe Nt’sekhe, a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, said that it raises questions about their crime-fighting ability.

“The number of members with expired firearm competency certificates raises important questions about operational readiness and compliance,” she said.

“Firearm competency and operational training are essential to effective policing. Police officers are entrusted to make split-second decisions under pressure.”

Regular competency assessments ensure they can handle service firearms safely and responsibly to protect the public.

Mandatory operational training also strengthens tactical decision-making and equips them to respond effectively to violent crime.

Nt’sekhe said that exposing these gaps is important to ensure that the police don’t compromise their safety or that of the communities they are sworn to protect.

“The people of Tembisa deserve a police service that is ready, professionally equipped, and capable of restoring safety in this crime-ridden area,” she said.