WC SAFETY MEC FEARS IMPACT OF POLICE AMMO SHORTAGE

Albert Fritz, Western Cape Community Safety MEC fears that the South African Police Service (SAPS) ammunition shortage, which impacts on officers' ability to complete their firearm proficiency tests and will severely impact crime prevention.

Fritz said that he's written to acting provincial commissioner Sindile Mfazi about the problem. The police established it had a shortage of ammunition because a supplier could not keep up with demand. Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz was demanding answers. Cayla Murray, his spokesperson: "It should be noted that these relative successes are undermined by training and resource constraints within the SAPS." 

Police union Popcru has also voiced its concern. Richard Mamabolo spokesperson: "If you look at the automobiles, if you look at the uniforms, if you look at the manpower, all those have had a negative influence on policing."

Fritz said the ammunition shortage would put more pressure on the police service. Noting that the SAPS are reportedly experiencing an ammunition shortage, which impacts on officers' ability to complete their firearm proficiency tests, Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz has written to acting provincial police commissioner General Sindile Mfazi seeking clarity on the shortages. 

National police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo earlier confirmed that the SAPS was experiencing a shortage of ammunition due to a manufacturer’s inability to supply the police service.  Contingency measures had been put in place to ensure that service delivery was not compromised until the SAPS received their required ammunition, he said.

By: Ellouise Muller