Statement Regarding the Extension of Firearm Amnesty in
terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000
Pretoria: 2005-04-01
The Minister for Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, today
announced the extension for another three months of the Firearm
Amnesty which expired March 31, 2005.
The extended period runs from April 1 2005 until June 30,
2005. This decision was taken after consultation with top
management of the Ministry and the South African Police Service
(SAPS).
The announcement has been published in the Government
Gazette, dated March 31, 2005.
The reason for the extension is based upon official
statistics indicating significant increases in illegal guns
being handed in over the last few days of March. During a 23
hour period ending 06.00 March 30, illegal guns handed in jumped
by 14, 1%. (9,466 to 10,801) The following six hour period
ending 12.30 the same day resulted in an even more dramatic
increase of 13,2 % (10,801 to 12,235).
Given these trends it was therefore deemed appropriate to
extend the amnesty to afford individuals and organizations an
opportunity to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition without
fear of prosecution for possession.
The Department for Safety and Security is satisfied with the
response to the Firearm Amnesty up to March 31, 2005 and which
resulted in 14, 987 illegal firearms and 22, 520 legally
licensed firearms voluntarily handed and 8,683 confiscated by
SAPS. This translates to a grand total of 46,190 firearms
permanently removed from circulation.
The Minister called on all South Africans to take advantage
of this gesture by Government and hand in illegal weaponry and
ammunition as well as licensed firearms which they no longer
wish to retain.
It should also be emphasised that any persons that know of
individuals or organisations illegally possessing firearms,
ammunitions or caches and fail to report this, are liable to
prosecution. It is in their own interest to share such
information with the police.
At the end of this extended amnesty period the South African
Police Service will pursue vigorously those unlawfully in
possession of firearms and ammunition.
Ends.
Trevor Bloem
Director: Media Liaison
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