The role that illegal firearms play in South Africa’s crime landscape remains a major concern, with the weapons linked to 99% of murders
By Mapaballo Borotho

The role that illegal firearms play in South Africa’s crime landscape remains a major concern, with the weapons linked to murders, intimidation, gang violence and illegal mining activities.
The widespread circulation of illegal firearms continues to fuel violent crime across the country.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament and Police Portfolio Committee member Ian Cameron says around 99% of firearm-related murders recorded over the past four financial years involved unlicensed firearms.
According to Cameron, these weapons originate from several sources, including stolen or lost firearms from state armouries and transnational criminal syndicates, with millions of illicit firearms believed to be circulating across the region.
On Point of View, Phemelo Motene spoke to Cameron about where these weapons are coming from and what needs to change in the fight against firearm-related crime.
“There was a specific question that was asked regarding firearm-related murders. It was specifically to classify or provide numbers indicating the difference between murders committed with licensed and unlicensed firearms over a period of four years. The results indicate that more than 41,000 murders were committed with unlicensed firearms,” Cameron said.
He argued that the focus should not be on lawfully armed citizens, but rather on preventing illegal firearms from ending up on the country’s streets.
Cameron also alleged that state institutions have contributed, either directly or indirectly, to the circulation of illegal firearms.
“I have said this before: it might be willingly or unwillingly, but they are assisting in providing firearms. You remember the story from years ago about former police colonel Christiaan ‘Chris’ Prinsloo, who assisted in smuggling thousands of firearms to gangs on the Cape Flats. He was obviously not the only one,” he said.
Although measures have been introduced to regulate the management and distribution of firearms, Cameron said safeguards at police station level are not always adequately implemented.
He added that, in his view, not enough is currently being done to address the problem.
Listen to the podcast for the full discussion on how illegal firearms continue to impact public safety in South Africa
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