Of those, only 559 firearms have been recovered.
The data have reignited debate over whether tracking devices should be attached to police-issued firearms, and potentially civilian guns, to curb theft, improve recovery rates and address systemic failures.
Over 3,400 SAPS firearms lost or stolen
Gun Free South Africa says technology and innovation must be properly evaluated as part of efforts to combat gun violence.
Dr. Stanley Maphosa, director of Gun Free South Africa, said any tracking system should be independently piloted and evaluated before being scaled up.
“We embrace technology and innovation and this technology and innovation must be properly evaluated,” Maphosa said.
He said tracking devices could help prevent theft, make faster recoveries and prevent internal collusion, but warned that implementation could not be imposed without proper testing.
“It is not just an issue of imposing it,” he said, adding that effectiveness and utility must be established first.
civilian firearms being examined
Maphosa said the problem extended beyond the SAPS.
He said, while 3,400 police firearms were reported lost or stolen over five years, civilian firearms, including those owned by private individuals and the private security sector, accounted for significant annual losses.
He said any technological solutions introduced for SAPS firearms should also apply to civilian firearms owners.
“Citizens covers both individual owners and private security, so it should apply to both,” he said.
Legislation and accountability
Should the tracking system prove effective, legislation would be needed to formalize its use.
Maphosa said due process must be followed, including engagement with the legislative framework and the Central Firearms Registry.
“We are in the technology age and hence we should embrace technology,” he said.
But he stressed that technology alone will not solve South Africa's gun violence crisis.
He called for a combination of tools, including physical controls, retention devices, proper loss reporting, independent oversight, discipline, and accountability among both state and civilian gun owners.
“We cannot look at one side of the coin and think that we will win,” Maphosa said.
As questions rise over lost and stolen guns and their role in violent incidents, the proposal to attach tracking devices is likely to remain at the center of debates over accountability, corruption and reform within the firearms system.
For more detailed information, listen to Maphosa using the audio player below: