The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that weapons were stolen at its Tekbase in Lyttelton, Pretoria, through a break-in at a corrugated iron storeroom where a burglar door had been forcefully opened.
The incident happened earlier this week.
WEAPONS ALLEGEDLY STOLEN AT SANDF TEKBASE
According to the SANDF, the weapons stolen included three R4 rifles and two 40mm multiple rocket launchers.
The defence force said it is suspected that access to the premises was gained by cutting a hole in the perimeter fence. Empty SANDF equipment boxes were discovered in the nearby bushes.
A case of business burglary was opened following the incident and an investigation has since been launched.
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE REACTS
Reacting to the incident, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Dakota Legoete expressed his disappointment that “We are surprised that we have such brazen criminal elements that can target a military facility and remove weapons.”
Legoete added that it is concerning that there are weapons such as R4 rifles and rocket launchers that are now in unknown hands and could be used for criminal or even terrorist activities against citizens or the state itself.
He said what is even more disappointing is that this is not the first such incident to happen at the SANDF bases. He cited Cape Town 9 SAI Battalion, and Simons Town Naval Base where this criminality happened in recent history.
Considering that this is not the first incident, Legoete called on the Military Police, Defence Intelligence as well as the South African Police Services (SAPS) to work cooperatively to ensure that they get to the bottom of this before these weapons are used.
He said it was unthinkable what could happen given the crime levels in the country where it necessitated the President to deploy members of the army in crime ridden areas in the country.
“We need to track and trace the whereabouts of these weapons as a matter of extreme urgency and those responsible must be held accountable in terms of our justice system should they be civilians, and should they be members of the armed forces they must face the military courts,” Legoete emphasised.Mr Legoete further called on the SANDF to reassess weapons stores safety and base security measures around the country.
