New deadline set for weapon amnesty handover
"All firearms will undergo ballistic testing to ensure they were not used to commit crimes, before they are cleared for destruction.”
Norkem Park SAPS urge residents to hand over illegal or unwanted firearms to their nearest police station well before deadline.
Sgt Johanna Madiga, the spokesperson for Norkem Park SAPS, appealed to the community to facilitate their handover in such time to avoid over-crowding of the premises on the deadline, especially in an era when social distancing during this pandemic is essential.
This is part of the ongoing firearm amnesty which started on December 1, 2019, and has been extended to January 31, 2021.
Madiga assured those in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition to take advantage of this amnesty period to hand over the weapons without the fear of prosecution.
“However, a person who hands over a firearm that has been used in the commissioning of a crime will not enjoy exoneration from this amnesty. All firearms will undergo ballistic testing to ensure they were not used to commit crimes, before they are cleared for destruction.”
The firearm amnesty was declared by the Minister of Police in the Government Gazette on November 27, 2019. This amnesty provides an opportunity for members of the public to surrender unwanted firearms and ammunition, firearms possessed unlawfully, as well as firearm parts.
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The amnesty applies to the following:
• Unwanted firearm relates to firearms that are lawfully in someone’s possession, but their owners no longer need or require them.
• Firearms that are unsafe to use, or in a poor state.
• Firearms that were inherited from a deceased person, and a person is not interested in keeping it.
• Firearms that were left behind by the previous owner of the property and were found on such property.
Illegal firearms.
• An illegal firearm is any firearm or firearm part which is not licensed
• An illegal firearm includes a firearm or firearm part that is not registered to the current owner
• An illegal firearm might not have a serial number
• An illegal firearm is possessed by a person who doesn’t have a licence for that firearm.
Madiga said the community is encouraged to visit their local police station or to make use of the MySAPS app. The community is also welcome to contact 011 391 1814 for more information.
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