POLICE destroyed close to 20,000 illegal guns at the Reclamation Group in Prospecton on Wednesday morning, 31 July.
The firearms destruction was a collaboration between two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The event was attended by national Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, national Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, KZN MEC of Transport, Community, Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu and other dignitaries. A similar destruction process took place in Gauteng on Tuesday, 30 July which also saw close to 20,000 firearms being destroyed from five provinces.
At a media briefing, Phiyega said it was a significant day, as it was time for the police to be accountable to the public for the work they are doing.”We want the public to know, we are combating crime. As 9 July was marked as the global day for the destruction of arms, we have joined hands with other countries and have adopted a bold and strong approach towards the destruction of arms,” she said.
Minister Mthethwa said crime in South Africa was violent and firearms were used to commit them. ” A lot of illegal firearms still need to be recovered. We are asking the public to surrender their guns. I urge the public to play their role to rid the streets of guns. Areas of concern to us are Umlazi, Pinetown, Empangeni and the Greytown where a number of AK47s were confiscated.”
A number of the firearms were seized during road blocks and search and seizure operations. “We need less talk and more action. The steel from the guns will be used to manufacture hoes and spades. Our aim is to introduce productive tools for production in our country.”
MEC Mchunu said KZN police has its hands full more than any other province, as political violence, faction fights and taxi violence are rife. “We are a heavily armed province. Three police officers were killed in one week and five members of a family.” He said in one calendar year cycle, KZN arrested some 250,000 suspects for various offences. “Due to the arrests our courts are clogged up and with convictions, correctional centres are filled to capacity.” However he praised the police for doing their best and succeeding.
After leaving the Reclamation Group, the dignitaries moved to the Isipingo taxi rank, where they met with operators.
