War on illegal firearms: 13,859 guns destroyed in latest SAPS sweep

Firearms

Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has destroyed 13,859 illegal firearms as part of its ongoing efforts to curb violent crime and remove weapons from circulation.

In a statement, SAPS said the destruction formed part of its second firearm destruction process for the 2025/26 financial year.

“In an effort to remove illegal firearms from circulation, the South African Police Service (SAPS) destroyed a total of 13 859 firearms during its second firearm destruction process for the 2025/26 financial year,” the statement read.

The latest batch brings the total number of firearms destroyed by police over the past seven years to 305,934.

“This brings the total number of firearms destroyed over the past seven years to 305 934,” SAPS said.

Police said most of the weapons were confiscated during crime-fighting operations and later forfeited to the State.

“The majority of the destroyed firearms were confiscated during various policing operations, including OPERATION SHANELA, and were forfeited to the State,” the statement said.

Some of the weapons had been linked to serious crimes before being processed for destruction.

“Some of the firearms are linked to finalised criminal cases such as farm attacks, cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies and crimes against women and children. Others were voluntarily surrendered or handed in during firearm amnesty periods,” SAPS added.

The police service also revealed that illegal firearms continue to be recovered weekly through targeted operations.

“On a weekly basis, the SAPS seizes no less than 100 illegal firearms during tracing operations, stop-and-searches, and other targeted crime combating activities,” the statement said.

The firearm destruction programme forms part of broader efforts by SAPS to reduce gun-related violence and strengthen crime prevention across the country.

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