A senior ballistics expert has revealed that a single firearm, frequently an AK-47, is being used repeatedly in a wide range of violent crimes across South Africa. Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela delivered this startling testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry....Click to Read More >>➤

He stated that ballistic evidence consistently links the same weapon to multiple serious incidents. These include cash-in-transit heists, taxi violence, and hit-for-hire assassinations.

“You’ll find one AK-47 that always appears in multiple cases, but it’s never recovered,” Mkhabela told the commission. This pattern points to a highly organized and efficient criminal ecosystem.

The repeated use of these specific firearms suggests they are being strategically circulated among criminal networks. This practice allows a small number of weapons to facilitate a large number of crimes over an extended period.

The situation highlights a significant failure in the country’s law enforcement and intelligence apparatus. Illegal high-calibre firearms remain in active circulation for years without being traced or confiscated.

This systemic failure directly fuels the country’s relentless cycle of violence.

A Network Fueled by Hidden Caches

Investigators believe the evidence points to sophisticated criminal operations. These networks have access to hidden weapon caches that are carefully managed and distributed.

The ability to reuse the same firearm in multiple high-profile crimes without it being seized suggests more than just luck. It indicates possible logistical support and intelligence from corrupt elements within the system.

The continued circulation of these weapons severely undermines public trust in law enforcement. It creates a perception that criminals can operate with impunity, using tools of war that the state seems powerless to control.

This ballistic evidence provides a clear, scientific link between different types of organized crime. It shows that the groups behind taxi violence are likely the same ones involved in heists and assassinations.

The failure to recover these key weapons is a major reason South Africa struggles to curb targeted killings and organized crime. Each unrecovered firearm represents an ongoing threat to public safety.

Pressure Mounts for Systemic Reform

As the Madlanga Commission continues its work, these revelations are increasing pressure on law enforcement agencies. There is a growing demand for a decisive overhaul of the national firearm tracking system.

Authorities face the urgent task of closing the legal and operational loopholes that allow weapons to move freely between criminal cells. Strengthening intelligence gathering and tackling internal corruption are now seen as non-negotiable steps.

The testimony from Brigadier Mkhabela provides a scientific basis for what security experts have long argued. A focused strategy on intercepting and recovering these repeatedly used firearms could disrupt multiple criminal operations at once.

The ballistics expert’s evidence before the Madlanga Commission offers a rare glimpse into the mechanics of organized crime. It confirms that a limited pool of firearms, especially the AK-47, is a common thread in the nation’s most violent crimes.

Addressing this specific issue of weapon circulation is crucial for breaking the cycle of violence and restoring a sense of security for all South Africans. ...Click to Read More >>➤