In response to questions raised regarding the looting of ammunition in the Mobeni industrial area of Durban during the July 2021 unrest, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu provided an update on the investigation, including the details surrounding the stolen ammunition and any potential involvement of South African Police Service (SAPS) members in the incident.
During the unrest, approximately 1.2 million rounds of ammunition and 800 000 primers were stolen from a shipment in the Mobeni industrial area during the violent disturbances. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), alongside SAPS, launched an investigation into the theft, Mchunu told Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane. The investigation led to the identification and arrest of 16 suspects on charges related to the possession of unlicensed ammunition. In total, 47 325 rounds of the stolen ammunition have been recovered to date.
The status of the 16 related cases is as follows:
- One accused was found guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison, with three years suspended for five years.
- Five ongoing cases involving four suspects are still in court.
- Eight cases involving 10 accused were withdrawn in court.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) declined to prosecute in two cases.
Regarding allegations of SAPS members’ involvement in the incident, the investigation revealed that the stolen ammunition was not under SAPS protection at the time of the looting. The cargo was meant to be transported to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Licensed Container depot in Durban, where it was supposed to undergo inspection by the SAPS Firearm, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Control (FLASH) unit.
However, prior to the looting, the truck containing the ammunition was left unguarded at the driver’s work premises during the unrest. It was reported that the cargo was subsequently looted from this unsecured location.
In June 2022, two SAPS members, a sergeant and a student constable, were implicated in the case after they purchased some of the stolen ammunition and reported it to the DPCI. A thorough investigation was conducted, resulting in criminal charges against both individuals for purchasing stolen ammunition and failing to follow proper legal procedures, as outlined in Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The student constable was dismissed from the Police Academy in January 2023 following the investigation, while departmental action was taken against the sergeant. Tragically, in November 2023, the sergeant was fatally wounded while responding to an armed robbery incident in Durban.
As a result of his death and the relocation of a key witness to India, the criminal case against both SAPS members was withdrawn in court.
The ammunition was part of a shipment originating from Brazil and destined for a company based in Centurion, Gauteng. The cargo was transported via Singapore.
