Viral clip of women cocking guns prompts SAPS warning on reckless handling

Police warn after video shows two women cocking firearms inside a house

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a warning after a video circulating on social media showed two women handling and cocking firearms inside a house. It remains unclear where the video was taken.

What the footage shows

In the clip, two women are each seen with a firearm. They appear to be laughing and cocking the weapons at each other. One woman, wearing a white t-shirt, is shown holding a firearm magazine containing ammunition in her other hand.

Police have issued a strong warning against the illegal handling and reckless misuse of firearms after a video surfaced on social media showing women handling and cocking firearms inside a house.

The @SAPoliceService said it was deeply concerned by the incident, noting that the… pic.twitter.com/FYTSbJeXNf

Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 14, 2026

Police response and legal reminder

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the video suggests the women may not be properly trained or authorised to handle firearms.

“SAPS therefore warns that the reckless handling and misuse of firearms pose a serious danger to both the individuals involved and members of the public,”

Mathe said.

Mathe reminded the public that under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, anyone handling or using a firearm must be legally authorised and must hold a valid firearm licence or permit where applicable. She added that firearm owners have a duty to ensure unauthorised people do not access their weapons, and that a registered owner may face criminal charges if they allowed such access.

Toy and imitation guns can also be harmful

Mathe noted the implications extend to toy guns, imitation firearms and blank guns if they are used in ways that create fear, intimidation, or a reasonable perception that they are real.

Public urged to report incidents

SAPS emphasised that firearms are not toys and should never be handled for entertainment, including for social media content. The public was urged to report any illegal possession, misuse, or reckless handling of firearms to the nearest police station or anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Contact details in the original report: [email protected]