Cops are running out of bullets
Crucial firearms training ‘rescheduled’ as ammunition stock levels drop
The country’s police force is running out of bullets, leaving the safety of South Africans in the hands of undertrained, gunwielding cops.
In order for police to retain their certification as proficient marksmen, they have to undergo firearms training every year, but in some cases — including in the Eastern Cape this month — that training has been cancelled because of a critical shortage of bullets in the South African Police Service’s national armoury.
As a result, a situation is emerging where police are unable to do their jobs.
In July, 20 police officers in Springs, on Gauteng’s East Rand, were relegated to desk duty and had their guns confiscated because there were no bullets for them to undergo annual tests.
Training cancelled
With stock levels dipping lower than what is required to keep officers legally armed, police sources have warned of dire consequences.
One source indicated that armoury stocks to supply a force of about 157 000 cops were dwindling.
“Officers are unable to train and to keep their skills sharp. How are they able to keep themselves safe, let alone the public we are supposed to be protecting?” an officer said.
The bullet shortage has become so severe that firearm training sessions have had to be cancelled.
A leaked police memo drafted last month revealed that the shortage prompted the cancellation of tactical training exercises scheduled for three weeks at an Eastern Cape police academy recently. The course, Tactical Policing Level II, is advanced ammunition training.
“Due to the shortage of 9mm ammunition at division supply chain management, the course must be cancelled. You are requested to inform all members accordingly,” the notice reads.
First priority
Police spokeswoman Colonel Athlenda Mathe downplayed the ammunition shortage, saying that the police had experienced “challenges” with the supply of 9mm bullets for practice and training.
“Due to the short-term challenges in the supply of ammunition, the SAPS prioritised the distribution of ammunition and our first priority was to ensure that sufficient firearm practice and training took place for the current trainees that will be completing their basic development programme this month,” she said.
“Some exercises and training programmes were rescheduled to ensure the continued basic police development of trainees.”
If there is mass insurrection or an act of war, we are in trouble
“The importance of regular firearm practise cannot be overemphasised. This is not only to ensure the protection and serving of the community but also to protect the members. The Firearms Control Regulations provide for at least one practice in a 12-month period. Members of high-risk units often practise on a regular basis,” she said.
Two independent police sources, who spoke to the Sunday Times on condition of anonymity, said the shortage of ammunition had worsened over several months, and recently reached crisis point.
“Never mind not being able to do firearm and range training, if there is mass insurrection or an act of war, we are in trouble,” one officer said.
They said that police top brass had failed for about three years to replenish a stockpile of 9mm ammunition, procured en masse annually from Denel.
Well-armed criminals
Independent security analyst Johan Burger said the bullet shortage had to be viewed in the context of police being pitted against an increasingly violent enemy.
He said that concessions by the police ministry revealed that thousands of officers were not fit to carry guns, setting the law at a significant disadvantage against well-armed criminals.
“At one point, a figure of 12 000 officers who were not declared competent to be issued with guns [was provided]. And that remains an issue that the police grapple with. How do you deploy police officers who are not competent and who are invariably unarmed?” he said.
Broader ineptitude
Burger said police were already undertrained and were by no means skilled marksmen.
“Police do not undergo regular shooting exercises and this is a legacy issue. Letters have been issued internally which informed police officers that as a result of financial shortages they cannot undergo training once a year,” Burger said.
Institute for Security Studies researcher Gareth Newham said that the failure of police management to maintain ammunition stockpiles pointed to broader ineptitude.
“The root of the problem is political interference in the police. Poor appointments to the post of SAPS national commissioner over the past few years have caused serial crises of top management in the police,” he said.