Achmat to police: Where are the documents for firearms register?

Achmat, with Daniel Hofmeyr, also an associate with Ndifuna Ukwazi, wrote an article earlier this year describing the Auditor-General’s (AG) reports on the use of consultants, contractors, and public funds. One issue concerned a South African Police Service (SAPS) information technology contract that aimed to set up an online firearms control register. Achmat and Hofmeyr wrote:

In 2004, SAPS entered into a R92 million information technology (IT) contract that aimed to set up of an online fire-arms control register. Since entering the contract four addendums have been added, increasing the contract price to over R400 million. SITA’s Supplier Selection Authority recommended that the tender be awarded for R100 million.

The IT system was scheduled for completion in March 2006. To this day it has still not been completed. Apparently, the SAPS are now investigating the contract.

Achmat and Ndifuna Ukwazi have decided to get to the bottom of the Auditor-General’s findings. The request by Achmat on behalf of Ndifuna Ukwazi, under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, was sent on 3 June. This was, according to Achmat, “after trying since February to access these documents.” The request asks for, “all of the contracts/agreements relating to the Enhancement Firearm Registration System (as referred to on page 42 of the SAPS annual report of 2011/12).” It also says, “We are requesting the original contract as well as any additional addenda that have been signed subsequently.”

This request was sent to Colonel Amelda Crooks, National Deputy Information Officer with SAPS, who acknowledged receipt of the request by phone. When asked why the firearms registration system had not been completed yet, Crooks said she was unable to comment because such matters were “beyond” her office. She referred GroundUp to Anneline Roodt of SAPS Technical Management Services, but we have been unable to contact her.