NATIONAL NEWS - KZN police wish to remind all South African citizens that the proliferation of illegal firearms in the province remains a priority for them.
“Innocent lives are lost, while serious and violent crimes are being committed by those in possession of illegal firearms. Police in KZN are out in full force embarking on operations, aimed at removing illegal firearms from the hands of the criminals,” warned provincial police spokesman, Brig Jay Naicker.
He stated that last month, police officers across the province arrested 145 suspects, who were allegedly found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
A total of 135 firearms were seized by police during the same period. Among the firearms seized included 119 pistols, five rifles, seven shotguns and four homemade firearms. Police officers also seized 1010 rounds of ammunition during these operations.
“During our operations on a daily basis, we focus on removing illegal firearms from our communities. Citizens play a vital role by informing police of criminals, who are in possession of firearms,” said the provincial commissioner of KZN, Lt Gen Khombinkosi Jula.
The minister of police, has by means of publication of a notice in the Government Gazette, declared an amnesty for a period of six months commencing from 1 December 2019 to 31 May.
The objectives of the amnesty is to reduce the large pool of illegal/ unwanted firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts that are in circulation in the country.
“We once again call on citizens to make use of this amnesty period to surrender illegally possessed or unwanted firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts to the South African Police Service without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession thereof.
"We also wish to remind them that there will be no indemnity for those firearms that were found to have been used to commit crimes such as murder, robbery, hijacking, etc,” Lt Gen Jula concluded.
