ABSTRACT

The number of both legal and illegal firearms in circulation in South Africa is a rapidly escalating problem. While there are more than 600 registered arms and ammunition dealers in South Africa, over 2,800 people are being investigated for their involvement in gun smuggling. The illegal importation of firearms into South Africa, as well as the theft, robbery or reported loss of firearms in legal possession are certainly the most important factors contributing to the general availability of illegal firearms. The two main external sources of firearms smuggling into South Africa are Mozambique, smuggled directly or via Swaziland and Angola, via Namibia or Botswana. In conclusion, arms smuggling cannot be addressed in isolation, but must be addressed in conjunction with curtailing other crimes. Ultimately, regional policy-makers must take a political decision at the highest level committing themselves to dealing with the problem, and they must take action to promote effective regional co-operation and security.