Firearm Theft In Gauteng
SAPS Crime Information Analysis Centre

Against the backdrop of an increase in incidents of firearm thefts by 31.2% (977 cases) between 1996 and 1998, the Research Unit on General and Priority Crimes of the SAPS Crime Information Analysis Centre (CIAC) undertook a Theft Of Firearms Docket Analysis to develop an understanding of factors contributing to this crime. The docket analysis involved 531 records/dockets pertaining to the theft of 575 firearms reported to the SAPS in Gauteng (excluding the Vaal Triangle).

The findings of the study were as follows:

• The overwhelming majority of firearms were stolen in suburbs (45%) and cities/towns (39.4%). In 0.6% of cases, the thefts occurred in rural areas, a phenomenon which is not unusual in a province which has a non-urban population of only 3.0%.

• Most thefts of firearms occurred on Fridays (16%), followed by Saturdays (13.4%). In 17.9% of cases, the day of occurrence was unknown.

• Most thefts of firearms occurred between 16:00 and 19:59 (17.3%). In 23.7% of instances, the time of the theft was unknown.

• In terms of lapse time between occurrence of the theft of firearm and reporting thereof to the police, the study revealed that 52.2% of the cases were reported within 24 hours, 63.3% within 48 hours, 73.6% within one week, 83.2% within one month and 92.8% within one year. 1.5% of cases were reported after a year had elapsed and in 5.6% of the cases the lapse of time between the occurrence and the reporting of the crime was unknown.

• In 96% of the cases (510 cases), only one firearm was stolen, whilst in 12 of the cases 2 firearms were stolen, in 3 cases 3 were stolen, in 4 cases 5 were stolen and in 2 cases 6 were stolen.

• Of the total of 575 stolen firearms, 325 were stolen with ammunition and 117 without. Particulars in this regard are unknown as far as the remaining 133 firearms are concerned.