A TOTAL of 1202 police firearms have gone missing since the beginning of last year, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa revealed yesterday.
Mthethwa said 885 firearms were lost or stolen last year and 317 this year, with 170 recovered.
The DA said the large number was fuelling an illicit trade in weapons.
"This means the majority of these dangerous weapons are still out there on the street, most likely being used to commit crime," said DA spokeswoman Dianne Kohler Barnard. "The reality is that the SAPS is fuelling the illegal firearms trade in this country." – Sapa
