Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Hon member, the answer is 1 497 police officers. When a member loses an official SAPS firearm, he or she must apply, in terms of Standing Order (Stores) 48, for a new firearm to be issued on his or her personal inventory. Alternatively, a firearm from the station inventory may be issued to the member, if he or she complies with the prescribed criteria in terms of competency and fitness.
The commander of the station or unit under whose command the member serves must then evaluate the application before a firearm permit may be issued to the member. The commander must take the prescribed criteria and the circumstances that led to the loss of a previous firearm issued to the member into consideration, before he or she makes a decision on the matter.
However, in addition to these processes, I have instructed police management to ensure that each time a police officer loses his weapon, there must be a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss. I have instructed that the police inspectorate be tasked with the responsibility of conducting such investigations. I thank you.