Between now and May 2020, people who have illegal or unwanted firearms will have the opportunity to surrender them to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The amnesty period was announced by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula.
“The amnesty creates an opportunity for members of the public to surrender illegal or unwanted firearms, ammunition and / or firearm parts to the South African Police Service without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession thereof. The objectives of this Amnesty is to reduce the large pool of illegal / unwanted firearms, ammunition and / or firearm parts that are in circulation in the country. A person who surrenders his / her firearm during the period of Amnesty will be required to complete and sign the necessary forms at the nearest police station and must insist on a copy of SAPS 548 (Amnesty form),” he explained.
He emphasised that possessing a firearm that previously belonged to a deceased person is illegal.
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“Anyone caught in possession of the firearm will be prosecuted. We urge citizens in possession of such firearms to make use of the current Amnesty period to surrender these firearms to police,” he said.
During November, police recovered a total of 418 firearms and 2925 rounds of ammunition during several operations held to eradicate the proliferation of illegal firearms in the province. 22 rifles, 86 shotguns, 293 pistols / revolvers and 17 homemade firearms were seized by police during November 2019. 80 suspects were arrested for being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Firearm operations have been intensified in KwaZulu-Natal since the launch of the Safer Festive Season Operation in October.
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