The DA in Ekurhuleni believes the number of missing firearms from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) armoury is much higher than the figure released by the MMC for community safety in March.
Three months ago, Alderman Vivienne Chauke said 14 firearms to the value of R161 000 had been lost, but Clr Jaco Terblanche, DA member of community safety in Ekurhuleni, believes the actual figure could be closer to more than 100 missing firearms.
Up until now, the metro has refused to release the armoury report.
After a heated council debate at the latest council meeting, the DA in Ekurhuleni brought an urgent motion to council, calling on Chauke to release the report.
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Terblanche said: “This highly important report has been withheld from council and from the public for too long. The non-release of this document is a clear indication that the community safety oversight is protecting certain individuals at the expense of communities and the metro police officers who serve us.
“Due to the non-disclosure of the armoury report, our EMPD officers are unable to receive firearms, severely limiting their ability to effectively serve this municipality and keep us safe.
“It is for this reason that the DA found it vitally important to bring an urgent motion requesting the speaker of council, Alderman Patricia Kumalo, to instruct the MMC of community safety to release the armoury report, which will detail how much ammunition and weapons have been lost, stolen or are available to EMPD officers.
“After questions were raised by the DA to the MMC three months ago, it emerged that 14 firearms were lost by the EMPD at a financial cost of R161 000. However, we believe that the actual figure could be closer to more than 100 missing firearms,” Terblanche said.
Terblanche welcomed the speaker’s decision instructing the MMC to bring the armoury report to council at its next sitting.
“We believe this needs to be done after it was announced that the Hawks were investing the long outstanding report.”
He said this turning point moment would finally bring closure and clarity to a matter that has tainted the top structures of the EMPD for too long.
“Our EMPD officers are ready to serve and protect and we need to ensure that they have the tools of the trade to ensure enforcement. The DA strives for a crime-free city and will do everything in its power to keep the citizens of Ekurhuleni safe,” added Terblanche.
