Weapons go missing at SANDF

Jurina Nkwazi
24 August 2010

Dozens of weapons, including six rocket launchers have gone missing over the past few years from South African National Defence Force.

On Monday Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu replied in writing to a parliamentary question where she gave details of the missing weapons over the past three years.

Freedom Front Plus MP Pieter Groenewald said the weapon losses is alarming and blames it on poor management and ill-discipline in the army.

Sisulu said that 20 rifles and five nine-millimetre rifles have also disappeared and an additional five mortars were reported missing.

The missing launchers include three 88mm anti-tank weapons, which can be used to knock out armoured vehicles.

Groenewald asked the question “What will people do with these rocket launchers?"

"The 7.62mm rifles are the same one’s used by criminals during cash-in-transit heists and needs to be investigated," he said.

According to Sisulu all physical measures were in place to secure weapons at SANDF storage and regular inspections are done to verify and control weapons.