Guns selling like sweets in Mzansi!

SOUTH AFRICA has become a haven for criminals. 

Spokeswoman for Action Society, an anti-crime organisation, Juanita du Preez, said tsotsis not only have easy access to guns and ammunition supplied by the SAPS but also often escape with minimal punishment if their cases even make it to the courts.

She was speaking to Daily Sun on the recent surge in killings across Mzansi of prominent figures in the music industry and government.

Du Preez attributed these killings partly to the influx of illegal guns and a lack of arrests, allowing criminals to roam the streets without fear of being apprehended.

She pointed out a disturbing trend where criminals get guns from the police themselves.

"Criminals in South Africa get their guns from cops. In January 2024, a Mitchells' Plain police officer was arrested after 15 firearms were 'stolen' from the station's SAP-13 storeroom in November last year.

"Gang-related violence in Mitchells Plain is rampant and getting worse. Murder statistics from the police station indicate the area is number 16 in the country and number 10 in the province, with 42 murders between July and September 2023.

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"That's 14 murders a month. This is 11 more than the same period in the previous year and 16 more than the year before," Du Preez said.

While acknowledging efforts by some police officers to combat crime in communities, Du Preez highlighted the presence of "bad apples" within the police force, some of whom are allegedly scheming with criminals.

Crime expert Calvin Rafadi reflected on the situation in the country and described it as a war zone.

Rafadi also commented on easy access to illegal guns, noting that individuals can simply request the type of gun they want from certain hostels.

In addition, he mentioned instances where homemade guns are manufactured in the Western Cape.

According to Rafadi, to tackle the issue effectively, South Africa needs to enhance its crime intelligence operations and actively infiltrate criminal networks.