Question NW1545 to the Minister of Police
30 July 2018 - NW1545
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
What is the total number of firearms that (a) are currently registered in the Central Firearm Register (CFR) and (b) were registered on the CFR as at (i) 31 December 1994, (ii) 31 December 1996, (iii) 31 December 1998, (iv) 31 December 2000, (v) 31 December 2002, (vi) 31 December 2004 and (vii) 31 December 2006?
Reply:
(a) The total number of firearms that are currently registered in the Central Firearm Register (CFR), is 5 567 706.
(b)(i) to (v) The requested data is not available for the period, 1994 to 2002. Prior to 1994, South Africa was divided into different states, namely South Africa, Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. All these territories had their own separate firearm registration systems. In South Africa, the firearm licencing process was the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), up until 1994.
After the assumption of the firearm licencing process, by the South African Police Service (SAPS), in 1994, a new system called the Firearm Register System, was introduced. However, information received from the DHA was in a form of a spreadsheet, called a "data dump" and there was no application linked to a specific firearm. Therefore, the current Enhanced Firearm Register System (EFRS), does not contain records for the period, 1994 to 2002.
(b)(vi) The total number of firearms that were registered in the CFR, as at 31 December 2004, was 3 237 987.
(b)(vii) The total number of firearms that were registered in the CFR, as at 31 December 2006, was 3 352 728.
Reply to question 1545 recommended
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date:
Reply to question 1545 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date: 27/07/2018