National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's commitment to addressing the serious allegations of corruption within SAPS.
“Members of the media, we are ready to brief the President and wish to undoubtably reaffirm the operational independence of the South African Police Service, and the resolve to uphold the Constitution of the Republic and enforce the law, according to Section 205(3) of the South African Constitution, which outlines the core functions of the South African Police Service (SAPS),” said Masemola on Wednesday.
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Speaking at a firearm destruction ceremony in Gauteng’s Vanderbajlpark, the Commissioner said some of these functions include preventing, combating, and investigating crime; maintaining public order; protecting and securing inhabitants and their property, and upholding and enforcing the law.
The Commissioner said additionally, Section 207(2) of the Constitution states that the National Commissioner of the police service must control and manage the police service in accordance with the national policing policy and the directions of the Cabinet member responsible for policing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today not to dwell on divisions, but to forge unity. I pledge to you, the people of South Africa, and to every dedicated member of this service, that we will strive for unity in the police service. Together, we will root out any force, internal or external, that seeks to fracture us or compromise our sacred duty.
"The SAPS is not factional property. It is the guardian of every South African's safety and security. Our focus, our unity, and our unwavering commitment must be singular: it is to serve and protect the citizens of this country. That is our covenant, and that is the resolve you see burning brightly here today as we conclude the firearm destruction,” said the Commissioner.
Masemola said the destruction of the firearms was not merely a "symbolic act".
“It is a strategic blow against the violence that threatens our nation’s soul.”
In February, 16 049 firearms were destroyed.
“… Including today’s operation, the total number of firearms and parts obliterated by SAPS over the past five years stands at 291 993. Each one represents a potential life saved, a family spared from grief, and a community fortified against chaos.”
With the firearms that we are destroying today, Gauteng brought in the majority of firearms with 5 099, followed by the Western Cape with 2 333, KwaZulu-Natal with 1 574, while 1 432 firearms were from the Eastern Cape and 460 were from the Free State.
Limpopo brought in 343 and Mpumalanga contributed 519. The North West contributed 417 and Northern Cape 322.
From April 2019 to date, a total of 292 092 firearms have been destroyed through firearm destruction operations.
“Firearms remain the most preferred weapon used in serious and violent crime ( murder and attempted murder) and that’s why it’s important to ensure we remove them permanently of our streets,” said the Commissioner. - SAnews.gov.za
