GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse, GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip:
The GOOD Party in Drakenstein is gravely concerned by the Municipality’s reckless and unlawful procurement of firearms, effectively turning the municipality into a lawless “Wild West.”
Despite not yet being recognised as an official institution licensed to own or carry firearms, Drakenstein Municipality proceeded to issue and award tender PS 3/2024 for the supply and delivery of various firearms. This was confirmed by MMC Avron Appollis during the May sitting of the Council, where he stated that the Municipality is “legally in the clear” because the weapons are for training purposes only.
This interpretation is not only misleading, it is dangerously incorrect.
During a Public Safety Portfolio Committee meeting on 5 May 2025, GOOD directly questioned the status of Drakenstein’s application for institutional firearm accreditation. We were informed that the application remains pending, with significant delays due to a previous submission being lost enroute to Pretoria. This means Drakenstein has not received the necessary approval from the National Police Commissioner, and is therefore not authorised to procure, store, or use firearms.
Section 98 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 is explicit – “A government department may only acquire, possess or use firearms or ammunition if authorised to do so by the National Commissioner.” There are only two ways for such authorisation to be granted: recognition as an official institution by the Registrar or express written consent from the Commissioner. Drakenstein has neither.
The claim by MMC Appollis that there is a legal loophole permitting procurement for training is a gross distortion of the law. The Act sets no such exceptions. This is not just a technical breach. It is a fundamental failure of governance that places public safety at risk.
The Department of Public Safety, under MMC Appollis’ political leadership, has undermined the law and misled both Council and the residents of Drakenstein. This constitutes a breach of public trust and a flagrant violation of national legislation.
The GOOD Party is appalled by this gross negligence and call for an immediate investigation into the Municipality’s firearm procurement process. The municipality must suspend any firearm acquisition or training until full compliance with the Firearms Control Act is confirmed.
Drakenstein’s residents deserve leadership that respects the rule of law and places their safety above reckless political bravado.
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