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Instead of focusing on the activities of violent criminals, the police appear to be targeting normal citizens, especially farmers, at a time when rural safety is a critical issue in South Africa, warns AfriForum. The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently arrested a farmer in the Free State under the guise of “intensifying efforts to remove illegal firearms and improve gun control”. AfriForum considers this an alarming misuse of resources when violent crime continues to rise.

The SAPS confiscated multiple firearms and ammunition at two Free State farms this week, while arresting the farmer and owner of the firearms. The possible arrest of another farmer is imminent. Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety at AfriForum, emphasises the importance of firearm owners operating within the framework of the law and keeping their licences up to date, otherwise the police will be intent on pursuing those whose firearm licenses may have expired, rather than focusing on the criminals who use illegal firearms to commit crimes.

The Constitutional Court ruled in 2022 that firearm owners whose licenses have expired are allowed to reapply for it to be renewed. Despite this, the police are using technicalities as a pretext to criminalise citizens, confiscating firearms that are not even linked to criminal activity. This notwithstanding the fact that the new Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, recently admitted that 371 police firearms and more than 29 000 rounds of ammunition were lost or stolen during the second half of the 2023/2024 financial year.

“In an age where the police cannot be trusted to safeguard firearms and violent farm attacks and murders are common, the authorities are leaving farmers vulnerable by removing the very means for their defence,” says Broodryk.

Furthermore, the actions of the SAPS are in stark contrast to the initial commitment shown by the Minister who, upon taking office, appeared dedicated to fighting South Africa’s high crime rate. Yet, under his leadership, the police continue to fail dismally in carrying out their primary mandate – tackling the criminals that continue to threaten the safety of citizens.

“Almost three people are murdered every day in the Free State. Home invasions where robbers are armed have also increased by 42% in the same province, yet the SAPS are still wasting resources by taking this route,” says Broodryk. 

AfriForum will continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, the civil rights organisation strongly urges all firearm owners to ensure their licenses are up to date and are stored and used in accordance with the law. AfriForum also calls on the SAPS to redirect its efforts towards meaningful crime prevention and the prosecution of violent criminals, especially in light of increasing threats posed to farmers and rural communities.

Issued by AfriForum