OPERATIONS conducted by police stations within various districts in the province during the month of September 2020 have yielded fruitful results.
Acting KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Major General Thulani Gonya said in total, 739 firearms were seized as well as 5 132 rounds of ammunition.
Among the firearms recovered were 603 pistols, 15 homemade firearms, five semi-automatic firearms, 80 rifles and 36 shotguns. Firearm components such as barrels, magazines, slides, silencers and other components were also seized.
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“I am pleased with the number of illegal firearms recovered in September. The recovery of these firearms is the testimony that the police in the province are committed to eliminating illegal firearms in the province,” said Gonya.
“We once again wish to remind citizens that we are in the midst of a Firearm Amnesty. The amnesty provides for indemnity against prosecution for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. There will however be no indemnity for firearms used to commit crime such as murder, robbery, hijacking,” he added.
Gonya added the amnesty creates an opportunity for members of the public to surrender illegal possessed or unwanted firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts to the South African Police Service without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession.
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