New firearm amnesty period starts today

POLOKWANE – Parliament this week approved a new firearm amnesty period of six months, commencing today, 1 August.

This provides illegal firearm owners a second chance to surrender illegal, unlicensed firearms or ammunition, according to a statement by Police Spokesperson, Col Brenda Muridili.

“The previous amnesty period, which was also intended for a period of six months, between December 2019 and May, was thwarted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the South African Police Service received a resounding 46 714 firearms,” the statement read.

Muridili said they believe there are much more firearms that still need to be surrendered. “The restrictions of Level 5 and 4 somewhat prevented people from turning in illegal as well as their unlicensed and unwanted firearms and ammunition,” Muridili explained.

Muridili added that the approval has since been published in the Government Gazette on 31 July. “This allows all people with illegal or unwanted firearms as well as ammunition, to hand them in at their nearest police station.”

The period ends on until 31 January 2021. Muridili urged people to take advantage of this period to either hand in those firearms and ammunition, either for destruction or renewal of a competency certificate and a valid licence.

“The latest national crime statistics once again show that firearms were the preferred weapon in the commission of most of the violent crime. Reducing the circulation of firearms may potentially reduce the scourge of violent crimes quite significantly,” she added.

The statement said it must be noted that no indemnity will be granted for firearms used to commit crimes.

“All firearms that have been handed in will undergo ballistic testing to ensure that they have not been used in the commission of any crimes, before they can be considered for destruction,” Muridili concluded.