Community Safety in Gauteng spends R9,7 million on only 124 pistols

The Gauteng Department of Community Safety awarded a tender of R9,7 million for the delivery of just 124 pistols, according to their annual report. According to AfriForum, this excessive spending amounts to approximately R78 000 per pistol – at least three times the price of a pistol with which law enforcement officers are generally equipped.

In response to this information, AfriForum today sent an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to the department to obtain clarity about this tender.

According to the 2023/2024 annual report, the tender for the purchase of these pistols was already granted in the past financial year, but their delivery will take place in the current financial year. The pistols in question are earmarked for the department’s law enforcement authorities, which include the province’s crime fighters, better known as the “amaPanyaza”. Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, founded this unit in 2023, but controversy has surrounded it from the start, labelling the arming of these 6 000 crime prevention officers as highly irresponsible.

“The awarded tender urgently requires further investigation and answers. To pay more than R78 000 per firearm for which one can expect to pay anything between R15 000 and R25 000 is outrageous, extremely suspicious, and raises serious questions about the awarding of this tender,” explains Marnus Kamfer, AfriForum’s Legal and Risk Manager.

Lesufi has already been implicated in various irregularities in the province, including allegations of irregular spending of nearly R43,31 billion. In addition, the premier was also identified as the “central figure” in an alleged cover-up of large-scale fraud and money laundering in, among others, the Gauteng Department of Social Development.

“Lesufi’s actions compel AfriForum to scrutinise reports, like the report detailing the dubious firearms tender, closely to ensure Gauteng residents do not suffer as a result of irregularities in this provincial government and its departments. As soon as we receive answers to our application, we will take further steps in the interest of the community,” he concludes.

(Photo credit: Gauteng Department of Community Safety Facebook)