VEREENIGING. – The South African Police (SAPS) have announced a new Firearm Amnesty Period of Six Months,that started from the 1st of August 2020 until 31 January 2021. This is for illegal firearm owners who still want to surrender their weapons to the police.  Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said that police had in the last Amnesty Period which took place between December 2019 and May 2020,  police received 46 714 firearms.

“We believe that there are much more firearms out there that still need to be surrendered and we are confident the response to the previous amnesty would have been even more resounding if it were not for the pandemic. The restrictions of Levels 5 and 4 somewhat prevented people from turning in illegal, unlicensed and unwanted firearms and ammunition.”

This had prompted the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele to approach Parliament to approve a new application of a six months amnesty period. “Persons with illegal or unwanted firearms as well as ammunition are now allowed to hand them in at their nearest police station. We are urging people to take advantage of this period either to hand in those firearms and ammunition either for destruction or renewal of a competency certificate and a valid licence.” According to the latest National Crime Statistics , firearms were the preferred weapon in the commission of most violent crimes. “Reducing the circulation of firearms may potentially reduce the scourge of violent crimes quite significantly. It must be noted that 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 that they have not been used in the commission of any crimes, before they can be considered for destruction.”