Western Cape police lost more than 2,500 guns

WC police lost more than 2,500 guns Giovanna Gerbi | 24 Hour(s) Ago

The Western Cape Community Safety Department on Thursday said it was concerned that too many police officers are losing or misplacing their firearms.

The department revealed officers lost more than 2,500 guns in the 2008/2009 financial year.

These figures were released at University of Cape Town's safety and violence conference earlier.

Provincial Community Safety Department chief Gilbert Lawrence said he was concerned that the murder rate is up in the Cape as too many people have easy access to weapons.

He said it was unacceptable for the police to have lost more than 2,500 guns in one year.

However, he revealed an even more shocking statistic.

Members of the public lost more than 12,000 firearms in one year.

“We are concerned as I’m sure the citizens are. Even though there’s a greater number that are lost by citizens than by the police, the police should not be losing their weapons,” he said.

Lawrence believed community policing forums were integral in helping to blow the whistle on crime especially in vulnerable communities.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)

(EWN)