Hawks Silent on Fate of 2,000 Stolen Police Guns Linked to Deadly Crimes

Hawks Silent as 2,000 Stolen Police Guns Remain Unaccounted For

Over a decade after one of South Africa’s most notorious police corruption cases, the Hawks remain tight-lipped about the recovery of more than 2,000 firearms stolen by former SAPS officer Colonel Christiaan Prinsloo. These guns, many linked to murders, attempted murders, and other violent crimes, have left families, civil society groups, and lawmakers demanding answers.

A trail of violence left in stolen guns’ wake

Between 2007 and 2015, Prinsloo headed the Gauteng Firearms, Liquor, and Second-Hand Goods Unit, where he orchestrated a covert operation stealing confiscated or decommissioned police firearms. He sold them to gang leaders primarily in the Western Cape, fueling violent crime.

A Ballistic Audit conducted for SAPS between 2010 and 2016 linked these guns to:

• 1,066 murders

• 1,403 attempted murders

• 315 other crimes

Prinsloo was convicted in 2016 and sentenced to 18 years in prison on 13 charges related to the illegal supply of firearms. Yet, more than a decade later, the fate of many of the guns remains a mystery.

Hawks provide no clarity

When approached for comment, Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi offered only:

“We can only confirm that the matter is still in court hence we cannot give comment on it.”

Requests for further clarification on how many guns had been recovered or what measures were being taken to trace the remaining firearms went unanswered.

Families and civil society demand answers

Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) has been vocal in calling for accountability. CEO Claire Taylor highlighted the human toll:

“With 33 South Africans shot dead every day, the Madlanga Commission and Parliamentary Committee must prioritise establishing accurate firearm record-keeping, gathering evidence of firearm-related criminality, and strengthening legislative frameworks.”

In May 2023, GFSA filed for a class action against SAPS, representing families affected by Prinsloo’s stolen guns. The applicants include parents, guardians, and survivors of gun violence linked to state failures in firearm management.

While the State opposed the application, GFSA continues to pursue documentation and evidence, citing partial responses from SAPS and ongoing legal hurdles.

“This case represents far more than one corrupt official,” Taylor said. “It exposes systemic failures in South Africa’s firearms control system that have cost thousands of lives. Every day we delay accountability, more families are devastated by violence enabled by state negligence.”

The fight for systemic change

Beyond legal battles, GFSA provides trauma debriefing and support for affected families. Taylor stressed that justice is not just about punishment, but also about fixing the systems that allowed Prinsloo to operate with impunity.

Social media reactions reflect public frustration: on X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: “Over 2,000 stolen guns, scores of murders, and still no answers? How long before SAPS is held accountable?”

The Prinsloo case has become a stark symbol of the consequences of corruption within law enforcement, illustrating how failures in oversight can reverberate across communities for years.

As South Africans await further court rulings and investigations, one thing is clear: the recovery and tracking of these firearms is not just a legal matter, it’s a moral imperative to prevent further violence and restore public trust in policing.

{Source: IOL}

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