The Scaw Metals Group, in partnership with the SAPS, destroyed over 30 tons of illegal firearms at Scaw Metals Group’s Union Junction facilities, in Germiston, recently.
The destruction was in line with crime prevention being among the top priorities for the SAPS.
Scaw’s CEO, Markus Hannemann, said they were honoured to host the event.
“We are proud of being able to make a difference towards building a safer South Africa,” he explained.
“This is a great initiative the SAPS are undertaking.
“Together with the SAPS, we have, indeed, highlighted the importance of what can happen when we work together to improve our society.
“Scaw Metals will continue leading, as an example to the steel industry on how vital it is to work in partnership, to achieve positive growth.”
Director at Gun Free South Africa, Adèle Kirsten, also emphasised the need to destroy the firearms.
“Most of us know of someone who has been shot and killed, how could we not when every day 16 people are shot and killed in this country?” she asked.
“Firearms are used to kill; they kill men, women, children, old and young, police officers, taxi drivers, security guards and business owners, and many more.
“Guns are also used to threaten and intimidate and they cause enormous physical and emotional trauma.”
Kirsten added that destroying the guns is another way to remember those who have lost their lives to gun violence.
“Destroying these weapons is one way to also honour those who continue to live with the pain and trauma of having survived, to honour their courage and resilience,” she said.
“The destruction takes these weapons out of circulation and helps make our communities safer.
“This is a visible sign of success, because not one of these guns is ever going to fire a bullet or take another life.
“No one in this country is immune to gun violence, we have all been affected, let us do more to make our communities safer.”
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieut-Gen Kgomotso Phahlane said firearms have claimed the lives of members of the SAPS.
“We are taking out of the equation firearms that would have been used in the commission of crime and those that have resulted in many innocent people being killed, injured and disabled,” he said.
“This includes members of the SAPS who, in the process of doing their work, are on the receiving end.
“We will continue to mourn those we have lost, and their places in the SAPS will always remain special, because they died in the course of the execution of their respective policing mandate.”
“What brings us here today is the destruction of 22 999 firearms that were impounded from the Western Cape, North West, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Free State.”
Phahlane also stated that pistols, revolvers and shotguns were among the types of firearms that were destroyed, as were obsolete firearms from the SAPS.
“We also get rid of firearms from the SAPS that are no longer serviceable,” explained Phahlane.
“We believe that the destruction will go a long way in allowing us, as citizens of this country, to live in a safe and secure environment.
“We must also use this opportunity to call upon everyone not to be tempted to use legal and illegal firearms to commit crime.”
The destruction involved the melting of the firearms in the furnace located at one of Scaw Metals Group’s plants.
The scrap metal will be used to produce Rebar products, which are used in the construction industry.
Another destruction is set to take place in February 2017.
More videos of the gun destruction process to follow.
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