Question NW1483 to the Minister of Police
13 June 2016 - NW1483
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
(1) Whether the 77 SA Police Service officers stationed at the Boksburg North Police Station have been retested since failing their firearm shooting competency tests; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many of the specified officers failed the retest, (b) what duties was each of the specified officers assigned during the period that they were found to be incompetent to handle a firearm and (c) what were the ranks of the specified officers; (2) whether he intends to make it mandatory that all police officers attend regular shooting practice and not just the annual competency testing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when will this become mandatory and (b) how often will police officers be mandated to attend shooting practice in each year?
Reply:
Maintenance shooting is an on-going training programme in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and members do their maintenance shooting annually to maintain their firearm competency in terms of Regulation 79(2)(b)(1) of the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000.
(1)(a) Of the 77 SAPS members stationed at Boksburg North Police Station that were not competent, 65 have since done their maintenance shooting and were declared competent. 12 Members are still not yet competent and are scheduled to undergo their maintenance shooting as from 7 June 2016.
(1)(b) Members are deployed and confined to the Community Service Centre (CSC) whilst waiting to redo their maintenance shooting.
(1)(c) The members’ ranks are as follows:
Constables 9
Warrant Officer 1
Captains 2
(2) No. Currently there is no mandatory directive for members to attend shooting practice. However, members are encouraged to attend regular shooting practice sessions when logistical and operational commitments allow.
(2)(a) Not applicable
(2)(b) Not applicable
Signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
NS MKHWANAZI
Date:
Reply to question 1483 recommended
Signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
BC MGWENYA
Date: 1 June 2016
Reply to question 1483 recommended
Signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
ACTING NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
JK PHAHLANE
Date: 3 June 2016
Reply to question 1483 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
NPT NHLEKO, MP
Date:
Reply compiled by: Major General VR Vuma (Dr)
Telephone number: 012 334 3518/ 3689
Reply verified and approved by: Lieutenant General NS Mkhwanazi
Telephone number: 012 334 3728