PRETORIA, Gauteng – In a decisive move against violent crime, Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo spearheaded the destruction of 11,859 firearms and firearm components on Thursday, aligning with the United Nations’ International Firearm Destruction Day observed annually on July 9.
The massive operation, coordinated by the South African Police Service (SAPS), represents a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing battle against illegal weapons. The destroyed arsenal included 9,596 handguns, 1,102 rifles, 798 shotguns, 33 combination firearms, and 330 firearm parts. This latest destruction brings the cumulative total of firearms eliminated by SAPS over the past seven years to an impressive 317,811.
High-ranking police officials joined Deputy Minister Boshielo for the event, including Lieutenant General Maropeng Mamothoti (Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations), Major General Nkhensani Mukhwevho (Sedibeng District Commissioner), Brigadier Nonhlanhla Sikhakhane (Acting Component Head for Firearm, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods), and Brigadier (Dr) Simon Bopape (Section Head for Firearm Compliance and Enforcement).
Targeting Crime at Its Source
Most of the weapons destroyed were seized during intensive policing operations, notably Operation Shanela, which has become a cornerstone of SAPS’ crime-fighting strategy. Among the confiscated firearms, 157 were directly linked to concluded cases involving violence against women and children, while three were connected to cash-in-transit heists. The remainder were either voluntarily surrendered by citizens or handed over during designated firearm amnesty periods.
The provincial distribution of destroyed firearms reveals the geographic spread of illegal weapon possession:
– Gauteng: 3,863
– KwaZulu-Natal: 2,047
– Western Cape: 2,037
– Eastern Cape: 1,500
– Free State: 800
– Mpumalanga: 500
– Northern Cape: 419
– Limpopo: 371
– North West: 322
Beyond Conventional Weapons
In a comprehensive approach to weapon elimination, SAPS also destroyed 4,089 blank guns, airguns, and homemade firearms. While these weapons are often perceived as less dangerous, authorities warn they can be easily modified to fire live ammunition and are regularly employed in criminal activities.
Deputy Minister Boshielo emphasized that destroying state-forfeited firearms guarantees they will never return to the streets, underscoring the government’s steadfast dedication to curbing violent crime.
“It is pleasing to note that we are also destroying firearms today that were used in incidents of gender-based violence. Firearms are destroying our families and our communities. Today’s destruction demonstrates government’s commitment to detecting and permanently removing illegal firearms and ammunition from our country,” Boshielo stated.
Sustained Enforcement Efforts
The SAPS maintains an aggressive stance against illegal weapons, confiscating at least 100 unlicensed firearms weekly through tracing operations, stop-and-searches, and specialized crime-combating initiatives. During last week’s nationwide Shanela II operations alone, police seized 121 illegal firearms and 2,584 rounds of ammunition.
Every firearm destroyed underwent rigorous auditing and ballistic testing to establish connections to other criminal activities, including those surrendered during amnesty periods. This systematic approach ensures comprehensive intelligence gathering while permanently removing dangerous weapons from circulation.
The International Firearm Destruction Day campaign continues to serve as a powerful symbol of South Africa’s commitment to public safety and the reduction of gun-related violence across all communities.
