SAPS clamp down on gun salutes at funerals
Firm action will be taken against those who are found to be in possession of firearms at these funerals.
GREENWOOD Park SAPS Community Policing Forum chairman, Robin Candy, said a ban on cars entering cemeteries and the installation metal detectors would be the only ways to clamp down on the dangerous practice of gun salutes at funerals. Candy was speaking following a SAPS-issued statement that police management has vowed to intensify their efforts to ensure that gun salutes are not a part of funeral processions.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, added they have put in place stricter measures at funerals more especially where gun salutes are expected.
“Legal firearm owners will be declared unfit to possess a firearm. People need to realise that when you fire a gun into the air the projectile travels back down at the same speed as it would when you fire a shot directly at someone. We cannot have people being killed or maimed at funerals,” Langa said.
SAPS spokesman, Brigadier Jay Naicker said funerals will be profiled and this will include searching of people and cars at funerals.
“Firm action will be taken against those who are found to be in possession of firearms at these funerals. Police will also be checking for stolen cars that are used for the spinning of tyres at funerals of criminals,” Naicker added.
Commenting on the statements made by SAPS, Candy said gun salutes have been an ongoing saga at the Redhill cemetery for the last 20 years.
“This is an emotional topic especially when certain funerals taken place. We have requested countless times that the parks department clamp down on these kinds of activities. Expensive camera equipment has been installed at the cemetery but when we ask, we are told that footage cannot be released. Workers are intimidated,” Candy said.
“Metal detectors must also be installed at a turn-style so that it will be picked up if a person enters the cemetery with a firearm,” he said.
