Almost 800 illegal firearms seized in KZN during September
Unlicenced weapons, as well as ammunition and firearm components, were confiscated
KZN’S acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Thulani Gonya, has praised the efforts of the province’s police officers who, during September, seized 739 illegal weapons, as well as ammunition and firearm components.
Included in the confiscated weapons were 603 pistols, 15 homemade firearms, five semi-automatic firearms, 80 rifles and 36 shotguns.
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Additionally, 5 132 rounds of ammunition were confiscated, as were firearm components including barrels, magazines, slides and silencers.
‘I am pleased with the number of illegal firearms recovered in September,’ said Gonya.
‘The recovery of these firearms is the testimony that police in the province are committed to eliminating illegal firearms.’
He said the operations that led to the confiscation of the weapons would be ongoing.
Gonya took the opportunity to remind KZN’s citizens that the firearms amnesty is still in effect, and urged those in possession of unlicensed or unwanted firearms, to surrender them.
‘The firearm amnesty provides for indemnity against prosecution for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
‘There will, however, be no indemnity for firearms used to commit crimes such as murder, robbery or hijacking.
‘The amnesty creates an opportunity for members of the public to surrender illegally possessed or unwanted firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts to SAPS without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession thereof.
‘The objective of the amnesty is to reduce the large pool of illegal and unwanted firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts that are in circulation in the country.’
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