Analysis of the management systems for the control of issued firearms by the South African police services

Abstract

Effective governance of state-issued firearms remains a critical challenge within the South African Police Service (SAPS), where persistent firearm losses and administrative discrepancies undermine public trust, institutional integrity, and national safety. Although SAPS operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework—including the Firearms Control Act, Standing Orders, and National Instruction 6/2018—the gap between formal prescriptions and actual operational practices continues to widen. Guided by Systems Theory and the Work-As-Imagined/Work-As-Done (WAI/WAD) and Efficiency–Thoroughness Trade-Off (ETTO) models, this qualitative study examines how organisational structures, behavioural dynamics, and operational pressures collectively shape firearm management outcomes. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and document analysis involving national, provincial, and operational stakeholders. Findings reveal that firearm governance failures are systemic rather than individualised, driven by inconsistent compliance, outdated monitoring systems, weak accountability mechanisms, and a culture that normalises deviations from prescripts. The study contributes theoretically by demonstrating how WAI/WAD misalignments and ETTO-driven behaviours manifest within high-pressure policing environments. Practically, it proposes an Integrated Firearm Control and Management Framework that addresses system-level vulnerabilities through enhanced oversight, digital tracking, strengthened training, and culture-focused interventions. The article offers a holistic understanding of SAPS firearm governance and provides actionable pathways for reform aimed at reducing losses, improving accountability, and realigning operational practice with legislative intent.

Keywords: {'name': 'Firearm management; SAPS; Work-As-Imagined; Work-As-Done; Systems Theory; ETTO; Police accountability; Firearms Control Act;'}

Authors & affiliations

Samkelo Athwell Genqese
STADIO

Phillip Vuma
STADIO

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