File photo: The navy did not respond to queries but a source in the military police confirmed the matter was being investigated. PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE File photo: The navy did not respond to queries but a source in the military police confirmed the matter was being investigated. PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE
Cape Town - Confidential information about how and where firearms and ammunition were stored at the Simon’s Town naval base is allegedly being sold to some of the Western Cape’s most powerful gangsters.
The gangsters apparently intend acquiring the weapons for gang wars and are using military vehicles to smuggle firearms that have been used in crimes in Joburg.
An informant close to both Community Safety MEC Dan Plato and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said the naval base was burgled on March 30 and firearms stolen. The navy did not respond to queries but a source in the military police confirmed the matter was being investigated.
The informant, with links to the 26s and 28s gangs, initially passed on information about the naval base security leaks to Plato, who said he passed it on to provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula.
“The particulars of the information I received I reported to (Jula) as soon as was possible for the police’s investigation, as I do with any other information.”
DA chief whip in the provincial legislature Mark Wiley was also tipped off about the alleged plot to steal arms. He said he had been told of “a potential security breach”.
“I can confirm there was a significantly greater security presence at the entrance and exits at the naval base that day (of the alleged burglary,)” Wiley said.
This week the informant gave Weekend Argus the name of a member of the navy who the informant claimed was implicated.
“He sells information to the gangsters about the security of the navy. This includes information about firearms, missiles and grenades.”
“At the heart of the (naval base) is the sunnet (sic) where the firearms are kept in a type of safe called a red alert,” the source said.
When Weekend Argus called the naval base we were told the member was no longer stationed there.
According to a controversial affidavit apparently made by the informant, a suspected gang kingpin has several officials in the Correctional Services Department and defence force on his payroll.
“There is a navy guy who smuggles drugs and guns to foreign countries on their vessels (for him).”
“Illegal firearms are also placed on these vessels to leave the country after the guns were used here in the Western Cape.”
On Friday provincial police communications head Brigadier Novela Potelwa would not say whether police were investigating the matter.
“Divulging the identity of sources and the nature of information they provide will be against the principles governing policing,” she said.
Weekend Argus