Question NW657 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
07 April 2021 - NW657
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to the burglary and theft of weapons at the TEK Base in Thaba Tswane, which was reported in December 2019, what (a) is the progress of the investigation, (b) charges were brought against the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) staff and (c) is the total number of SANDF staff who (i) were suspended, (ii) were charged, (iii) are still suspended but not charged, (iv) are still suspended and being paid their salaries and (v) were charged and have appeared in a court of law; (2) what are the details of the munitions (a) stolen and (b) recovered; (3) whether any stolen weapons were recovered; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) where and (b) on what date did the recovery occur?
Reply:
1. a. What is the progress of the investigation? The case is at Court of Senior Military Judge for trial.
b. What charges were brought against the SANDF Staff? Housebreaking and Theft and alternative charge of Negligent Loss of Firearms.
c. What is the total number of SANDF Staff who –
i. were suspended? Fourteen (14) members.
ii. were charged? Fourteen (14) members.
iii. are still suspended but not charged? None.
iv. are still suspended and being paid their salaries? Six of the seven members that are still on suspension are receiving salary of which five members suspension are in process to be uplifted (As discussed with GOC SA Army Engineer Formation).
v. were charged and have appeared in a Court of Law? Fourteen (14) members.
2. What are the details of the munitions (a) stolen and (b) recovered? Eighteen (18) R4 Assault Rifles and three (3) 9mm Pistols ( 9mm Vector, 9mm Baretta and 9mm Star) were stolen of which eighteen (18) R4 Assault Rifles and two (2) 9mm Pistols (9mm Vector and 9mm Baretta) were recovered.
3. Whether any stolen weapons were recovered; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) where and (b) on what date did the recovery occur?
(i) Eighteen (18) R4 Assault Rifles and two (2) 9mm Pistols were recovered. The one 9mm Pistol that is still missing, was circulated.
(ii) On 08 February 2020 one 9mm Vector Pistol was recovered in Kwa-Thema and one R4 Assault Rifle was recovered in Springs. Thirteen R4 Assault Rifles and one 9mm Pistol were recovered in Daveyton on 09 February 2020. The last remaining four (4) R4 Assault Rifles were also recovered in Springs on 30 May 2020.