Michael Waters MP, DA Deputy Chief Whip and Lethabong Constituency Head, has submitted a request for a copy of the Ekurhuleni armoury audit report under the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
“This has been necessary due to the fact that the metro seems to be doing everything in their power to not make the highly sensitive report public,” said Waters.
He said efforts by Ekurhuleni metro councillor Jaco Terblanch in getting the audit report made public have fallen on deaf ears.
“Terblanch asked questions in Council on 26 September 2017, where in the reply he was promised that the report would be available on October 31, 2017. This has never materialized.
“He then sent a letter to the MMC on Community Safety on November 2, 2017 requesting the report, but to no avail.”
Waters said during the Community Safety oversight meeting held on March 13, 2018, the EMPD undertook to give the members of the meeting the armoury audit assessment and report by March 16, which they then delayed to April 6.
“When Terblanch tabled a motion on April 26 in the Council meeting, the Council took a decision that the report would be tabled on May 8 at the Community Safety oversight meeting which was then further delayed to June 5. It has still not been tabled.
“I then asked a question in Parliament, where the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs indicated that a comprehensive audit assessment of all EMPD’s firearms is currently being conducted by the directorate responsible for priority crime investigations.
“The Minister further promised that the firearms audit assessment findings and the report thereof would be presented to the Council during September 2018. The findings were never tabled.”
Waters said Chapter 11 (99) (d) and (e) of the Firearm Control Act, 60 of 2000 provides the following guidelines in terms of the storage, disposal, transfer, loss, theft or destruction of firearms:
- (d) particulars regarding the disposal, transfer, loss, theft or destruction of firearms contemplated in paragraph (a); and
- (e) if a firearm is lost or stolen, particulars regarding the report of the loss or theft to the South African Police Service
“It is obvious that the metro has failed to adhere to the law and is running scared in this regard.”
ALSO READ:
All you need to know about your rights pertaining to firearms
Firearm owners enjoy a life line
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
