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• Eight cases involving 10 accused were withdrawn in court.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As a result of his death and the relocation of a key witness to India, the criminal case against both SAPS members was withdrawn in court.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.

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While the Institute for Security Studies has predicted that the polls were unlikely to result in widespread violence, it said there are legitimate concerns about outbreaks of violence during or after the elections:

“The largest recent outbreak of mass violence in South Africa was triggered by former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters in response to his July 2021 incarceration. The rioting and looting left over 300 people dead and thousands jobless, wiping R50 billion from the economy. So when members of the new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, whose most prominent campaigner is Zuma, openly threaten mass violence if they don’t get their way, there’s reason to worry. But could violence on the scale of that experienced in July 2021 recur?”

The inability of law enforcement agencies to swiftly contain the July 2021 unrest and protect lives and property underscored a systemic failure that cannot be ignored as SA approaches the general elections later this month.

One of the most concerning aspects of the unrest was the lack of preparedness in terms of intelligence gathering and early warning systems. The rapid escalation of violence and looting caught authorities off guard, leading to a breakdown of law and order in many areas.

Three weeks ago Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise assured South Africans that the elections would be held in a safe and secure environment.
This assurance is based on intelligence-led planning and operations, a critical aspect that was lacking in July 2021.

The significance of robust crime intelligence often takes a back seat in political discussions. Crime intelligence is not just about solving crimes after they occur; it plays a pivotal role in preventing criminal activities, safeguarding democracy, ensuring public safety, and upholding the rule of law.

By proactively gathering intelligence on potential security risks, taking preventive measures, and now reassessing security risks, police can help create the safe and secure environment that Modise promises.

For this to happen, police need to have the necessary resources, expertise, and independence to carry out their mandate effectively. This includes investing in training programs for intelligence officers, enhancing collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, leveraging technology and data analytics for intelligence gathering, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of crime intelligence units.

The readiness of the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the enlisting of more than 350 private security companies to assist pre and post-election, and the reassurance by the state may suggest that violence is unlikely, however, police must stay on the top of things.

Manhar Parshotam is the co-founder of Dragon Protection Services

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