Police investigations

the Glock was discovered in the ceiling of Lamani’s home.

It is not clear how the firearm got there.

This Glock issue and Lamani’s suicide are under police investigation.

In a response to questions on the matter, the City of Cape Town said: “The facts surrounding the loss of that firearm (and the subsequent disciplinary action against the official concerned), as well as the sad death by suicide of the staff member in whose house the firearm was subsequently found, are under investigation by the SAPS with the full support of City.”

The city then shifted focus to national police.

“It must be noted that loss of firearms by municipal law enforcement is an extreme rarity,” it said.

“This is in contrast to SAPS, which [has] lost over 10,000 firearms in the decade 20112021 as reported in Parliament.”

This week Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed that a theft of firearm case was registered in Bellville South in March 2020 and was still under investigation.

He also confirmed the discovery of the Glock earlier this month and said this was also under investigation.

On Lamani’s death, Van Wyk said police in Mfuleni had opened an inquest.

Was the firearm planted?

The Good party’s secretary-general Brett Herron, who has been exceptionally critical of the SSIU, last week wrote an open letter to Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis about the Glock saga.

“We don’t know if the firearm was used in the commission of any crimes, or whether it was placed in the ceiling by the deceased member or planted [there] by someone else,” a Good statement said.

“What we do know is that the firearm was reported stolen, and the member of the unit from whom it was stolen was charged and demoted.”

Herron said Good supported the city’s objectives to shift more policing power to metros. “But these powers can’t be illegally grabbed,” he said.

“Organised crime thrives on loopholes and compromises in the criminal justice system.”

For his part, Hill-Lewis recently said: “I have no interest in getting involved in a political skirmish. What I am interested in is finding ways to take the fight to the violent criminals who terrorise our communities.”