The Cape Argus reports that this means that many police officers are unable to carry their firearms with them even while on duty.
"If the SAPS cannot issue permits to police officers that warrant the issuing of a service pistol, then they cannot carry out their operational duties," says John Burger, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.
"This is a serious threat to the SAPS's ability to deliver an effective service. You cannot send a police officer not certified to carry a weapon to approach gangsters, hijackers or cash-in-transit robbers, or even allow such officers to perform duties with an officer entitled to carry a firearm.
"The SAPS are sitting with a huge crisis that requires urgent intervention to remedy the situation."
One such police officer spoke to the Cape Argus on condition of anonymity.
"My permit has expired, and I was told I could not complete the test because of the shortage of ammunition," claimed the officer.
"I cannot carry my service firearm because if I use it, I could face disciplinary action and even possible prosecution. It is safer to leave my weapon at work, but knowing that my life is also in danger."
Earlier this month, police minister Bheki Cele revealed in parliament that the SAPS had "lost" over 9.5 million rounds of ammunition and had 4537 firearms stolen in the last six years.
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