The local police are urging residents to take advantage of the opportunity to surrender their illegal and unwanted firearms without fear of prosecution.

A new Firearm Amnesty approved by Parliament at the end of July for a period of six months, commenced on 1 August 2020 and will run until January 31, 2021.

Those who surrender their firearms during the period of amnesty will be required to complete and sign the necessary forms at the nearest police station and must insist on a copy of the SAPS 548 (amnesty form).

Spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said the lockdown restrictions prevented people from turning in illegal as well as their unlicensed and unwanted firearms and ammunition.

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“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 they have not been used in the commission of any crime before they can be considered for destruction,” said Sekele.

“If anybody who hands in a firearm and we find through ballistic testing that those firearms were used in the commission of a crime, then the necessary prosecutions for those particular crimes will follow.”

Residents are encouraged to contact their local SAPS Firearm Office for any further explanations. The Benoni SAPS firearm office may be contacted on 011 747 0194 or 011 747 0239.

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