The police have taken a decisive step in their ongoing battle against illegal firearms, destroying 12 499 confiscated weapons at a high-security event held on July 9.

General Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, described the destruction as a ‘critical milestone’ in the national effort to rid communities of illegal firearms fuelling violent crime.

“These weapons, once used to commit violent acts and sow fear, are now permanently out of circulation,” said Masemola during his address at the destruction site.

According to a police statement, Gauteng led the national recovery figures, contributing 5 099 of the destroyed firearms, the highest of any province.

The Western Cape followed with 2 333, KZN with 1 574, and the Eastern Cape with 1 432.

The Free State contributed 460, Mpumalanga and Limpopo each added 343 and 519 respectively, North West contributed 417, and the Northern Cape 322.

This latest destruction brings the total number of firearms permanently removed from public circulation to 292 092 since April 2019.

Masemola highlighted the role of Operation Shanela, an intensified national policing strategy aimed at tackling gun violence and dismantling organised crime syndicates.

Under this operation, police are currently seizing more than 100 illegal firearms weekly.

In the last three weeks alone, 106, 115, and 102 firearms were recovered, respectively.

“These numbers reflect the dedication of our members across provinces, especially in Gauteng, to remove illegal weapons and protect our communities,” said Masemola.

Police continue to urge the public to report suspicious firearm activity and to cooperate with ongoing firearm amnesty and recovery operations.