AN INITIATIVE by the Empangeni SAPS to curb the widespread possession of unlicensed firearms in uMhlathuze, kicked off this week.
According to Empangeni SAPS spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, a high number of firearms used to commit crimes are unlicensed, while many licensed ones belong to owners who are deceased.
‘It is a common occurrence that a firearm belonging to a deceased father or brother is passed on to family members who fail to re-license it,’ Mdlalose said.
‘In especially rural areas, family members are often not aware of there being a firearm in the home and when raids are done for any specific reason, these guns are confiscated and the person in possession arrested, despite them being innocent and unaware of its presence.
‘Others actually hire out the firearms to unknown and undesirable characters for a certain amount and these people go out and commit crimes, be it robbery or murder. Once they are done it is returned to the family who owns it,’ said Mdlalose.
‘We need to curb this. If people have unlicensed guns in their homes, they need to license these immediately,’
‘If it belongs to someone who has died, report it at the nearest police station or, alternatively, go to a gun shop. They know the rules and will be able to assist.
‘Gun shops will either keep firearms for you until you have made a decision, sell it on your behalf or assist you in acquiring a license,’ said Mdlalose.
