SAPS Commissioner Masemola announces crucial preservation of firearms linked to political killings

IOL News

09-07-2025

On Wednesday, 12,499 firearms are slated for destruction at Cape Gate Steel in Vanderbijlpark during the Firearm Destruction event. South African Police Service National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola holds one of the firearms (black and brown) to be destroyed.
Image: SAPS
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has indicated that firearms used in political killings and high-profile crimes will not be destroyed during the destruction of firearms.
Masemola was speaking at a media briefing held at the Firearm Destruction at Cape Gate Steel in Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday.
Masemola stated that firearms used in political killings and other high-profile cases will not be destroyed, as those cases are still pending.
'Those firearms are still going to be preserved as evidence.'
He urged the public not to assume that these firearms would be destroyed.
Masemola said the cases are still pending, and the firearms have been linked to more cases, including the killing of artists in South Africa.
'So they are not about to be destroyed. They will be kept until those cases are finalised.'
He stated that 12,499 firearms would be destroyed. The destruction comes after 16,049 firearms were destroyed in February. The commissioner said that over the past five years, police have destroyed 291,993 firearms and parts, including those from Wednesday.
A total of 12,499 firearms are expected to be destroyed at the Firearm Destruction at Cape Gate Steel in Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday.
Image: SAPS
'With the firearms that we are destroying today, Gauteng brought in the majority of firearms with 5,099, followed by the Western Cape with 2,333, KZN with 1,574, 1,432 firearms were from the Eastern Cape, and 460 from the Free State. Limpopo brought in 343 and Mpumalanga contributed 519 each of these firearms, while North West contributed 417 and Northern Cape 322,' Masemola said.
He said that from April 2019 to date, a total of 292,092 firearms have been destroyed through their firearm destruction operations.
Masemola explained that firearms are a popular weapon choice in serious and violent crimes, such as murder and attempted murder. Thus, it is crucial for the police to eliminate firearms from South Africa's streets, particularly in high-crime provinces such as Gauteng, the Western Cape, KZN, and the Eastern Cape.
According to him, Operation Shanela has resulted in the seizure of no less than 100 firearms weekly.
'In the last seven days, 106 firearms were seized, in the previous week, 115 firearms were seized, and the week before that, 102 firearms were seized,' Masemola said.
He added: 'We remain resolute and focused on our targeted operations to completely remove these firearms from the hands of communities, especially young people.'