Illegal firearm owners will get a second chance with the new firearm period.
The period begins today (1 August) and will continue until 31 January 2021.
The previous amnesty period was from December last year to May this year, but was thwarted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The police believe that there are many more firearms out there that still needs to be surrendered.
According to the police, the restrictions of level 4 and 5 of lockdown prevented people from turning in their illegal, unwanted and unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
This had prompted the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele to approach the parliament to approve a new application of a six months amnesty period.
The approval of the new application has since been published in the Government Gazette on 31 July this year which now allows all people with illegal or unwanted firearms as well as ammunition to hand them in at their nearest police station.
The police urged people to take advantage of this period either to hand in their 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.
The firearm amnesty envisages to see a reduced number of illegally possessed firearms in circulation in the country.
It therefore provides firearm owners with the opportunity to hand in illegal and unwanted firearms which will result in the prevention of crime and promotion of safety to ensure people living in South Africa are and feel safe.
The police said no indemnity will be granted for firearms used to commit any crime.
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.
For firearm amnesty enquiries, contact the Flashcall centre at 012 353 6111 or send an e-mail to cfrenquiry@saps.gov.za.
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