Mitchells Plain police arrested one of their own after 15 firearms and 8 imitation firearms were stolen at the station. The firearms were all labelled as evidence in ongoing criminal cases and were destined for forensic testing at the laboratory.

According to police, the firearms were reportedly stolen over a six-month period. The discovery of this ongoing theft however was only made on the 21st of November 2023. Detective Constable Lubabalo Malongwe, who is stationed at the Mitchells Plain SAPS, was arrested for the theft three days after the discovery was made.

Malongwe has since been dismissed from the SAPS. The 30-year-old former officer is due back in court on the 2nd of February to face the charges against him.

The police’s Anti-Corruption Unit is continuing its investigations into the matter and the stolen firearms are yet to be recovered.

Police oversight and Community MEC, Reagan Allen, has expressed deep concern over the matter. Allen adds that this would not be the first time an incident of this nature has been reported at the Mitchells Plain SAPS.

“The alleged breach is highly unacceptable and I am deeply angered to learn through the media about this matter.”

MEC Allen has written to the SAPS provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General (Adv) Thembisile Patekile, to obtain further details into this incident.

“It’s vital that it be established where these alleged stolen firearms are and that they are immediately retrieved.”

Allen has put up a reward of up to R5 000 for information about where these and any other illegal firearms are stored. The public is urged to report the information to 021- 466 – 0011. Upon successful confiscation, arrest and conviction, they will earn their reward.

“Should it also be found that any of these firearms have been used to commit a crime, the one responsible for its loss or sale should also be charged to this effect.”

The Cape Flats Safety Forum has also expressed outrage following reports of the matter. The forum’s secretariate, Lynn Philips, has noted that this is a repeat offence for the police station. Phillips added that the forum is also questioning why the incident was kept under wraps by the SAPS. The incident was brought to light nearly 2 months after an arrest was made.

“how many of the very same firearms are roaming our streets and how many of that very same stolen firearms, which add up to 23, was now used in other crimes on the Cape Flat and in Mitchell’s Plains specifically because the focus is Mitchell’s Plains here.”

Phillips has called on the police commissioner Patekile to suspend the station commander and his management team for the matter.