South African Navy refutes claims of weapons theft in Simon’s Town robbery

The South African Navy has dismissed social media claims that weapons were stolen from one of its Simon’s Town units.

A video circulating online shows two men being apprehended by community members in the Eastern Cape.

In the footage, one of the suspects claims the weapons were taken from a Navy unit in Simon’s Town.

In a statement, Navy officials said they cannot confirm the authenticity or origin of the video, but stressed that the allegations are false.

“The South African Navy states unequivocally that no weapons have been stolen from any of its units or personnel," the statement said.

The Navy added that strict military security measures are in place to safeguard all equipment and resources.

According to the statement, “security and accountability are upheld as core principles of the South African Navy, and the organisation assures the public that the protection of resources remains uncompromised.”

Police confirmed that the robbery under investigation happened at the Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT), a subsidiary of Armscor, located near Navy bases in Simon’s Town. 

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Simon’s Town police registered a business robbery case following an incident at a Martello Road premises on Monday, July 28, at about
8.18 pm, “where firearms were taken.”

He confirmed that a 27-year-old suspect has been arrested and already appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrates’ Court. The case remains under investigation.