Two senior police officers suspended

Brigadier Mathapelo Merriam Mangwane, Section Head: Central Firearm Registry, and Brigadier Hlamane Elias Mahlabane, Section Head Firearm Compliance, were suspended from duty effective today for their involvement in corrupt activities, says SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale.

According to Makgale another employee, an administration clerk, has been issued with a letter of intention to suspend her and has been given until Wednesday to make representation as to why she should not be suspended.

"This is extremely disappointing, as the people who have been suspended are the ones who were given the responsibility of cleaning up the Central Firearm Registry, with the clear objective of eliminating all corrupt activities.

"Now they stand accused of the very same thing that they were employed to stamp out," said Makgale.

The investigations are continuing and the possibility of disciplinary, as well as criminal action, against other employees cannot be ruled out.

The suspensions follow recent media reports alleging incidents of bribery and corruption after an ex-employee at a gun shop revealed that he bribed the officers in order to fast-track the gun licences.

These investigations are informed by the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, established a committee to probe the practices of certain allegedly unscrupulous firearms dealers.

This enquiry is underway and includes looking into those dealers who are not complying with the provisions of the Act, as well as those possibly colluding with employees of the Central Firearm Registry. SAPS is cooperating and collaborating with the committee.

Any person who may have information regarding fraud and corruption is urged to make a report at their local police station, or to make use of the Corruption Hotline number 0800 701 701, or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 for anonymous tip-offs, or to send an anonymous SMS to Crime Line 32211.