National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi came under fire in Parliament on Friday for inadequate control of firearms and problems over police vehicles.

National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi came under fire in Parliament on Friday for inadequate control of firearms and problems over police vehicles.

The auditor-general's report showed that the number of stolen and lost firearms had tripled.

The DA's Eddie Trent said the firearm control register and negligent loss certificates could not be provided.

In reply, Selebi said the police service was on track in some areas because it was tightening controls, had filled vacancies and had spent all its allocated money.

"This year every firearm will be specifically marked to prevent theft," he said.

He also said police officers often complained that they did not have enough cars to patrol their areas or to investigate cases.

But, he said: "This is not so, and a new system will prove it."

The system would enable the police to account for each vehicle in the South African Police Service.

Selebi said security worries over the 2010 Soccer World Cup were being grossly exaggerated.

"I do not know why there is such a frenzy about 2010 because it will come and will pass just as the Rugby and Cricket World Cup tournaments had passed.

"The level of crime was much higher when we had the rugby world cup here than [it is] today," Selebi said.

But parliament complimented the South African Police Service for a much improved report from the Auditor-General this past year. - Sapa