A security breach at the Ulundi K9 Unit in KwaZulu-Natal has exposed fundamental vulnerabilities in police infrastructure, following revelations that the facility operated without basic safeguards when a cache of firearms and tactical equipment was stolen.
Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia was responding to an inquiry initiated by DA NCOP Security and Justice member Mzamo Billy, who had written to the Select Committee on Security and Cluster chairperson, Jane Mananiso, prompting the committee to request the details from the minister.
Cachalia said that between February 15 and 16, one rifle, one shotgun, four pistols, 152 x 9mm live rounds, 290 x R5 live rounds, 13 handcuffs, 30 handcuff keys, five torches, three empty R5 magazines, six empty 9mm magazines, two SAPS bulletproof vests, one SAPS cap, one SAPS jacket, and two pairs of police safety boots (sizes 7 and 8) were stolen.
“All access doors to the premises were secured at the time of the incident. However, the facility was not equipped with burglar guards, and no alarm system or CCTV (internal or external) was installed,” Cachalia said.
“Firearms were stored in a designated strong room (walk-in safe) measuring approximately two square metres.”
The minister said no security risks or vulnerabilities had been previously reported for the facility.
Cachalia said that a multidisciplinary team, comprising Visible Policing, Detectives, and Crime Intelligence, was immediately established to investigate the incident, identify possible suspects, and recover the stolen items.
“Crime Intelligence has initiated engagements with sources and contacts to determine potential involvement. Provincial and Unit Management were engaged by the investigating officer assigned from the Richards Bay Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI),” Cachalia said.
“The investigation is ongoing, and there have not been any arrests or recoveries of firearms.
“At this stage, no internal negligence has been confirmed. However, the possibility of internal collusion or interference cannot be excluded and will be further examined during the ongoing criminal investigation conducted by the DPCI.”
Cachalia added that no similar incidents involving the theft of SAPS-owned firearms have been recorded in KZN or nationally.
“To ensure effective management and monitoring of SAPS-owned firearms, National Instruction 6 of 2018 – Management of Movable Government Property in the Service, specifically Chapter 10 (Official Firearms and Ammunition), is in place to regulate their use and safekeeping,” Cachalia said.
Image: Supplied
Billy said the stolen firearms have put lives at risk, but no one has been held accountable.
“Even more concerning is the admission that the facility had no alarm system, no CCTV surveillance and no burglar guards at the time of the break-in. This represents a catastrophic failure of basic security. It reveals that critical police infrastructure responsible for safeguarding state firearms has itself been left vulnerable,” Billy said.
“The fact that a SAPS firearm storage facility in KwaZulu-Natal was operating without an alarm system, CCTV or burglar guards is deeply alarming. These are not minor administrative failures; they are fundamental security failures that place communities at greater risk.”
Billy said that the absence of accountability was equally concerning, with Cachalia’s response offering no indication of suspension or disciplinary action for such security deficiencies.
“The response also raises further questions. While it states that there have been no similar incidents involving the theft of SAPS-owned firearms, it also records that 3,146 SAPS firearms have been stolen or lost nationally over the past five financial years, with only 559 recovered,” Billy said.
He called for SAPS management to conduct an urgent security audit of firearm storage facilities and specialised units across the province; immediately strengthen security measures at police facilities where vulnerabilities exist; hold accountable any officials whose negligence contributed to this incident; and provide regular updates on the investigation and the recovery of the stolen firearms.
Billy added that KZN has high violent crime rates and it is unacceptable that SAPS fails to secure its own firearms. Restoring public trust requires more than investigations; it demands immediate accountability, decisive action, and a commitment to fixing systemic security failures, he said.
