Bring us deceased family members’ firearms, police say
“The Act provides that in case of death, the family or executor must dispose of the firearm by deactivating it through a gunsmith, sell it to an accredited firearm dealer or individual or voluntarily surrender it to SAPS for destruction.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) have urged the public that have to handle firearms of their deceased relatives, to do so in line with the prescripts of the law.
“The act provides that in case of death, the family or executor must dispose of the firearm by deactivating it through a gunsmith, sell it to an accredited firearm dealer or individual or voluntarily surrender it to SAPS for destruction,” said police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili.
This comes as the SAPS on Thursday oversaw the destruction of 35 069 firearms which were either confiscated by the police, voluntary surrendered or forfeited to the state.
She said a total of 40 729 firearms and 199 573 rounds of ammunition had been surrendered so far.
The destruction of firearms was overseen by the Divisional Commissioner of Operational Response Services Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on behalf of the National Commissioner of SAPS General Khehla John Sitole.
“The proliferation of illegal firearms has therefore been dealt a decisive blow with cooperation from the public as a total of 9 918 of the destroyed firearms were voluntarily surrendered during the 2019/2020 firearm amnesty period – 1 December 2019 to 31 May 2020,” she said.
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Muridili said only 2019/2020 amnesty firearms that had been ABIS tested, were destroyed. Firearms linked to a pending firearm application or criminal investigation were not included.
“The rest of the firearms were confiscated by the police during intelligence driven operations, routine stop-and-searches as well as tip-offs received from community members committed to ridding their environment of illegal firearms.”
She said daily, SAPS members on patrol bravely stopped and searched suspicious vehicles looking for contraband and illegal firearms.
This reduced the number of illegal firearms in circulation, which was one of the police’s priority.
“Melting these firearms ensures that they will never find their way back in circulation.”
Muridili said individuals and institutions in possession of illegal, obsolete and redundant firearms or parts were encouraged to use the remaining three days to surrender them without fear of prosecution for illegal possession.
“We are appealing to the public to report any knowledge of individuals in possession of unlicensed firearms to the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600-10111 or to send a tip-off on MySAPS App.”
Muridili said callers were allowed to remain anonymous and all information received would be treated with confidentiality.
“The SAPS would like to thank members of the public and institutions alike, who participated in the current firearm amnesty that ends on Sunday, 31 January 2021.”
She said all firearm enquiries could be forwarded to the central firearm call centre at 012-353-6111 or emailed to cfrenquiries@saps.gov.za.
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