Eastern Cape police have launched a full investigation following the theft of 17 firearms from the Komani Traffic Department, raising serious concerns about internal security and potential links to organized crime. The weapons, reportedly locked in a storage safe, were discovered missing during a routine inspection earlier this week, prompting immediate action by provincial law enforcement.
According to preliminary reports, the firearms were standard-issue pistols assigned to traffic officers for official use. The exact timeline of the theft remains unclear, but authorities believe it may have occurred over the long weekend when the offices were lightly staffed. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage, conducting interviews with department staff, and inspecting all points of entry for signs of forced access.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed that a case of burglary and theft of firearms has been opened and said that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has been brought in to assist with the probe. The disappearance of state-owned firearms is a grave matter. These weapons could easily end up in the hands of criminals, posing a major threat to public safety, Naidu stated.
The theft has triggered public outrage and raised questions about security protocols at government institutions. Civic groups and political leaders have called for accountability and an urgent review of arms storage practices within municipal departments.
In response to the incident, Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha expressed deep concern and urged police to fast-track the investigation. He emphasized the need for tighter controls, saying, It is unacceptable for lethal weapons to vanish under government watch. We must act decisively to ensure this does not happen again.
No arrests have been made yet, but police are pursuing several leads. Authorities are also coordinating with the South African Police Service’s Firearms and Liquor Control Unit to track serial numbers and monitor any illegal firearm activity in surrounding areas.
The incident underscores growing fears over the proliferation of illegal firearms in South Africa, where gun violence remains a pressing issue. Officials have pledged to keep the public informed as the investigation develops.
