The firearm amnesty, where members of the public could hand in unlicensed firearms, has ended (on May 31) There have been no further official announcements from SAPS headquarters.

And more firearms and ammunition could have been handed in during the six-month firearm amnesty had it not been for the lockdown imposed from March 27, says Police Minister Bheki Cele.

More than 16 000 firearms and more than 140 000 rounds of ammunition were handed over.

Despite calls for the amnesty period to be extended, there has not been any information a possible extension.

“We believe this sharp decline since April may be because of the lockdown which has limited the movement of people, as the handing over of firearms is not necessarily categorised as an essential service,” said  Minister Cele.

South Africa marked the start of global disarmament week (October 24 to 30) with the announcement of a firearms amnesty that would run from December 1 to May 31.

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