The South African Police Service (SAPS) has taken significant strides in combatting gun violence by destroying a total of 13,859 firearms during their latest destruction event. This initiative, which is part of their second firearm destruction process for the 2025/26 financial year, demonstrates a continued commitment to removing illegal firearms from public circulation, further anchoring efforts to enhance public safety in South Africa. With this recent destruction, the cumulative total of firearms eliminated in the past seven years has reached an impressive 305,934.

The recent destruction took place in Vanderbijlpark and was presided over by Major General Adelaide Mukhwevho, the District Commissioner for Sedibeng in Gauteng. The firearms destroyed include those seized during various policing operations, particularly under Operation Shanela, and were classified as forfeited to the state. These actions are vital as some of the weapons are linked to severe criminal activities, such as farm attacks and cash-in-transit robberies, indicating the severe threat that illegal firearms pose to the community.

Furthermore, the SAPS stated that a variety of firearms were either confiscated during police operations or voluntarily surrendered during amnesty periods, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and the public in tackling gun violence. By continuing the destruction of such firearms, the SAPS aims to not only remove dangerous weapons from circulation but also to send a strong message about the importance of firearm control in promoting safety within South African communities.