The leading cause of murder

The illegal firearm trade and smuggling of firearms are contributing to increased crime in South Africa and have a negative impact on the economy. Experts say to cut down on illegal firearms, corruption within the SAPS also needs to be addressed.

GUNS are the leading cause of murder in South Africa: On average, 34 people are shot and killed every day.

Over the last decade, there has been a steady year-on-year increase in the rate of overall murders, including gunrelated murders. In 2011/2012, approximately 6 570 gun deaths were reported (18 a day), whereas the most recent crime statistics, for 2022/2023, show a significant increase with over 13 300gun deaths reported.

While murder most often involves a gun, other crimes such as attempted murder, carjacking and truck hijacking also involve firearms, and these crimes have steadily increased over this same period.

Although most gun crimes in South Africa are committed with illegal guns, almost all illegal guns were legal before getting into criminals’ hands through loss or theft.

SAPS annual reports show that while the state is an important source of illegal guns, guns in the hands of civilians are by far the biggest source of illegal guns in South Africa. The SANDF, Correctional Services and the SAPS reported a combined loss or theft of 422 guns in the past four financial years, and civilians reported the loss or theft of 25 254 guns in this time.

While 90% of gun-related violence in South Africa is committed with handguns (pistols and revolvers), it is clear the SANDF is an important source of weapons commonly used in organised crimes such as cash-in-transit heists and taxi-related violence, whereas over this same period the majority of guns stolen from the SAPS 13 stores were handguns.

Once firearms move from the legal into the illicit market, they move outside of any state control and therefore it’s difficult to measure how many illegal guns are in circulation at any one time.

The most effective way to stop this bloodbath and address the illegal pool of guns is twofold: Co-ordinated efforts to recover and destroy illegal firearms, and increased controls over legal guns to stop them leaking into the illegal pool.

It is simple: Empty the pool of illegal guns in circulation on our streets and turn off the tap, ensuring that there is no longer an easy supply of legal guns into the criminal markets.

If our government does not act to significantly curtail the easy availability of guns in South Africa, whether used in organised crime, to settle inter-personal arguments or domestic disputes, in political assassinations or taxi violence, they will continue to cause untold loss and pain, chaos and fear.

The impact of this gun violence epidemic on our society, within families and communities, is enormous and often difficult to measure.

A comprehensive global study on gun violence and disability estimates that for every person shot and killed, as many as six victims will survive, often with severe disabilities, especially following a penetrating injury to the brain, spinal cord or abdomen.

Gun violence costs billions: In 2014 an estimated R6 billion (4% of South Africa’s national health budget) was spent treating gunshot injured patients at state hospitals nationally; accounting for inflation, this is +/-R9.3bn as of October 2022.

This figure only includes medical treatment costs and excludes other direct costs such as emergency transport and costs associated with the criminal justice system, as well as indirect costs such as loss of income, household productivity and quality of life.

As we get closer to the general elections, we expect gun violence levels to rise. Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) calls on the government to prioritise establishing specialised firearms units to recover and destroy illegal firearms, ensuring that our communities are safer, and that voting can take place without the threat of violence.

We would also urge that the Electoral Commission of South Africa makes it clear that all voting stations are gun-free zones, with clear signage signalling guns and other weapons are not welcome.

And looking ahead, GFSA will continue to advocate for the Firearms Control Amendment Bill to come to Parliament after the new government has been elected to ensure our national gun law is strengthened, aligning it with global obligations and norms.