According to police spokesman Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale, the Dangerous Weapons Act prohibits the carrying of airguns, firearms, knives, brass knuckles, spears, axes, knobkerries, crowbars and hammers.
In terms of the act it is a criminal offence to possess a dangerous weapon with the intention of committing an unlawful act and offenders could be fined or face imprisonment.
“If the possession of a dangerous weapon raises a reasonable suspicion that the person intends to use the dangerous weapon to commit an unlawful act, the person may be found guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to be imprisoned for a period not exceeding three years,” Makgale said.
He said as of 2 January it was a criminal offence for a person to carry a dangerous weapon, replica or imitation or any harmful and sharp object capable of causing death or inflicting bodily harm.
“The mere possession of a dangerous weapon during a gathering or demonstration constitutes an offence,” he said.
However, he said if the person found in possession of a dangerous weapon worked in law enforcement or if the weapon was used during religious or cultural activities, they would not be arrested.
