The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has expressed concern about conflicting police information about a firearms raid in Cape Town.

According to a statement from Parliament: “(Cameron)expressed serious concerns regarding significant discrepancies in the case involving the arrest of suspects allegedly found in possession of high-calibre firearms in Cape Town earlier this week…According to the initial report issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS), eight suspects were arrested during a raid on Monday. Police also seized six AK-47 rifles, eight pistols and ammunition. However, it is alleged that the official docket only records six suspects, six rifles and six pistols.”

According to Cameron: “While the arrest of suspects for possession of illegal firearms is welcomed, particularly in the context of the alleged intended use of these weapons, it is deeply concerning that official information reflects only six suspects and six pistols. This is clearly inconsistent with the SAPS’s original report.”

Cameron is now seeking answers from the police on who authorised the release of the missing suspects and where the missing firearms are.

According to Cameron: “Efforts to remove illegal firearms from our streets are critical, but those efforts must be undertaken with integrity...When discrepancies like this arise, they threaten to undo the very progress we aim to make.”