Cops 'lose' 3 856 guns

2007-09-18 22:14

Cape Town - The police lost over 1 500 more firearms during the past financial year than they did during the one before, says the Auditor General.

In an audit contained in the SA Police Service 2006/7 annual report, he found 3 856 firearms were reported "lost stolen or robbed from personnel throughout the country" during the 12 months up to March 31 this year.

In 2005/6, a total of 2 297 firearms were reported having gone missing in this manner.

The AG also said firearm control registers were not properly maintained by the police in six provinces, but did not specify which.

Further, "bi-annual firearms inspections were not always performed".

The audit also found "inventory differences" to the tune of R18.7m between what the police actually had in their stores and what was shown on their computer system.

This was based on test counts carried out at 18 inventory stores around the country.

- SAPA