Amnesty for illegal gun owners
Thabo Mokgola
21 September 2004
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula has announced a three-month amnesty period for South Africans in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition to hand them over to the police.
Speaking during the release of the SA Police Service's annual report in Pretoria on Monday, Nqakula said the amnesty offer formed part of the SAPS's efforts to create "an atmosphere of peace and stability" in the country.
The amnesty, valid from 1 October to 29 December this year, will not be extended to those who possess firearms that have been used in criminal activities.
"Upon submission, the firearms will be tested ballistically", Nqakula said, adding that applicants would have to fill in amnesty application forms.
All retrieved firearms and ammunition would be destroyed, he added.
During the past two years, the SAPS has implemented a strategy to curb the proliferation of firearms in South Africa.
According to the SAPS's annual
report, almost 26 000 illegal firearms and about 1.7-million rounds of ammunition were confiscated in 2003-04, accompanied by almost 6 000 arrests for the illegal possession of firearms or ammunition. During the same period, a total of 87 097 firearms were destroyed.
Source: BuaNews
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