The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has come under fire after it emerged that nearly 1,000 rifles have gone missing over the past decade, sparking concerns over arms accountability and internal security.
By Shanti Aboobaker – Daily News
According to a report tabled in Parliament, the Department of Defence confirmed that 944 R4 and R5 assault rifles—standard issue for SANDF personnel—were either lost or stolen since 2002. The figures were revealed in response to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which has raised alarm over the apparent lack of effective inventory controls and the potential for these weapons to fall into criminal hands.
DA spokesperson David Maynier condemned the losses, warning that some of the missing rifles may have been trafficked to criminal syndicates or used in violent crimes. “The SANDF’s inability to safeguard its own weapons is a national security threat,” he said.
The Department of Defence acknowledged the losses but insisted that tighter control measures have since been implemented. However, critics argue that the absence of timely disclosures and the slow pace of investigations into arms losses indicate systemic weaknesses in weapons management within the armed forces. The revelations add to growing concerns about discipline, oversight, and accountability in the SANDF, already grappling with budget constraints and ageing infrastructure. With public confidence in state institutions under pressure, the issue of missing military hardware is likely to prompt further scrutiny from Parliament and civil society.
