The SA Navy (SAN) has distanced itself from claims unspecified stolen naval weapons were used in criminal activity.
Commander Theo Mabina, Acting Senior Staff Officer, Naval Public Relations, in a statement on Wednesday said the maritime service was “aware” of a video on social media showing community residents apprehending two men suspected of involvement in “weapons related crime”. One suspect allegedly claims the weapons were stolen from an unnamed SA Navy unit in Simon’s Town.
“While the SAN cannot confirm the authenticity, origin or context of the video, what can be confirmed is that the SA Police Service (SAPS) is currently investigating an incident involving a robbery at the Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT), an Armscor subsidiary, a facility located in proximity to SA Navy bases. The SAPS remains the lead authority in this investigation linked to the individuals involved.
“The SAN states unequivocally that no weapons have been stolen from any of its units or personnel. The organisation upholds stringent security protocols, in line with military standards, to ensure the safeguarding of all weapons, equipment and resources entrusted to its care.
“Security and accountability are upheld as core principles of the SAN and the organisation assures the public that the protection of resources remains uncompromised,” the statement issued from the SAN headquarters unit in Pretoria reads.
It is not unheard of for SA National Defence Force (SANDF) weapons, ammunition and other equipment to be stolen. Research published last year by the Freedom Front Plus stated that 42 firearms were stolen from the SANDF between the 2019 financial year and the end of 2023. “Alarming is 33 are R1 and R4 assault rifles and that over three thousand rounds of ammunition for them was also stolen.” This figure includes 18 assault rifles and three 9 mm pistols stolen from Tek Base in Centurion in December 2019, but later recovered.
The Navy has also been a victim of weapons theft, with its armament depot robbed in July 2016. Several Uzi submachineguns, 70 hand grenades, ammunition, and two assault rifles were stolen.
Last year the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GITOC) estimated that the South African state lost a total of 18 000 firearms between 2003 and 2013, with the police losing or having 30 000 of its firearms stolen between 2003 and 2023. In comparison, 63 500 licensed civilian firearms were lost or stolen in the 20 years between 2003 and 2023, with a 60% recovery rate. Police arrested 125 000 people for possession of illegal firearms and ammunition between 2014 and 2023.
