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MINISTRY OF POLICE URGES SOUTH AFRICANS TO SURRENDER ILLEGAL FIREARMS

MEDIA STATEMENT – For immediate release

MINISTRY OF POLICE URGES SOUTH AFRICANS TO SURRENDER ILLEGAL FIREARMS

CAPE TOWN – 10 November 2009.  Parliament today passed a proposal by the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa to declare a

firearms amnesty to commence on 11January 2010 until 11 April 2010.

The amnesty provides for a procedure whereby a firearm, be it legal or illegal may be surrendered at any local police station; without

fear of being prosecuted in cases of possession of illegal firearms.  The declaration is in terms of Section 139 of the Firearms Control

Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). 

There is a large pool of illegal firearms in circulation around the country.  It is also clear that these illegal firearms are a major contributor

to the high rate of serious and violent crimes as well as firearm-related crimes in South Africa.  The majority of most robberies are

committed with firearms, whilst a large portion of the reported murder cases are committed by people using illegal firearms.  The

reduction of the number of firearms in circulation is an important part of the South African Police Service’s strategy to combat violent

crime.

The approach to the process will entail voluntary surrender for destruction of licensed firearms through a process prescribed in

Firearms Control Regulations, surrender of illegal firearms under the amnesty as well as allow for people who missed the cut-off date

for licensing to license their weapons, as long as they meet the requirements.

The conditions under which amnesty is granted includes illegally-possessed firearms that can be handed to a member of the SAPS on duty at any police station. Such a member must issue a receipt in respect of such firearm or ammunition to the applicant. 

Persons who wish to voluntarily surrender a licensed firearm may not surrender it through this amnesty process, but must follow the procedures provided for in regulation 94 of the Firearms Control Regulations, 2004.

The last amnesty, during the year 2004/2005 was an unqualified success.  17 665 illegal firearms were seized and confisticated by

police during operations, 33 823 illegal firearms handed in under the amnesty, 46 631 licensed firearms voluntarily surrendered

and 98 631 firearms removed from circulation.

Ends/        

For enquiries, please contact:

Zweli Mnisi, Ministerial Spokesperson 082 045 4024

Issued by the Ministry of Police.

This article applies to: Middle, Rontree 1, Rontree 2, Glen, Bakoven, Village, Clifton