VEREENIGING

Today, many South Africans will be safer. Many businesses have been spared from potential robberies.  Many homes have been spared from potential break-ins AND schools have been spared from disruptions – all these as a result of removal in circulation of thousands of illegal firearms. 

This was a sentiment expressed by the police leadership and management during the destruction of illegal firearms at an event held at the Arcellor Mittal Steel Factory in Vereeniging, Gauteng today.  Present to witness the destruction were the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, his deputy Ms Makhotso Sotyu, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Ms Faith Mazibuko, the National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega, Provincial Commissioners as well as various partners in the fight against crime.

Between today and tomorrow, South Africans will witness a total destruction of 36 750 illegal firearms.  Today, the destruction was based on firearms obtained from the following provinces: Gauteng 1 661, Free State 578, Limpopo 1 137, Mpumalanga 5 600, North West 221 as well as Northern Cape 305.  Tomorrow in Durban, a similar event will take place for the destruction of firearms obtained from KwaZulu-Natal and 17 751 and Eastern Cape 1 500.  In addition, KwaZulu-Natal will destroy more than 300 000 rounds of ammunition.

“The removal from circulation of these illegal firearms helps government’s crime fighting strategy, because a removal of one illegal firearm is equivalent to saving many innocent human lives, sparing businesses from being robbed and possible serious injuries. The increased availability of illegal continues to hamper our efforts thus contributes significantly to the high and unacceptable levels of violent crimes in our society.”

“We hold a firm view that responsible firearm ownership does not cause crime.  It is the merciless criminals who rob and kill innocent citizens; in the process disarming the law-abiding citizens of their legal firearms.  That is why it is also important for legal firearm owners to exercise caution with their firearms,” stated the Minister.

Deputy Minister Sotyu emphasized that these destructions did not come as a result of operations mounted by police alone, but through the cooperation with communities.  “It is critical if not imperative that there is a strong partnership between all law-enforcement agencies and the broader civil society in addressing firearm-related violent crime. The firearm destruction programmes like today, are a demonstrative resolve that the ANC-led government is succeeding in retrieving guns from criminals and gangsters. This is a progressive step towards creating a safe environment for all in South Africa.”

“Fundamentally, though, the importance of the Firearms Control Act as amended cannot be more emphasized. This is one piece of legislation that has demonstrated that as government we remain unequivocal in our commitment to the values and the spirit of our Constitution on which our democracy is based.   This is aimed at strict and efficient gun control.  Its ultimate goal is to disarm criminals, discourage potential unstable use of firearms, stop illegal trafficking of firearms and to confiscate unlicensed guns,” added the Deputy Minister.

The National Commissioner thanked SAPS members throughout the country for their efforts in seizing the firearms.  “I stand proud today of the men and women in blue for their hard work in removing these illegal firearms, many of which were used as instruments of death, out of the reach of criminals.  I urge them to press on and persevere as they rid our society of illegal firearms. There are still far too many firearm-related crimes being committed,” General Phiyega explained.

In line with the prescripts of the Firearms Control Act, the SAPS have also begun intensifying training of our police officers thr ough re-skilling, refresher course to ensure that they are able to respond to the challenges of the day.  The aim is to ensure that police members are not easily disarmed and robbed by criminals.  Equally, to ensure that our storage facilities at police stations are properly monitored and protected.

“As we emphasized before, we have tasked the police management to tighten internal firearms control measures on members who lose their firearms.  This is important because whilst we advocate for responsible firearm control to the public, we need to ensure that our own house is in order,” added Minister Mthethwa.

One of the critical focus areas is around the borderline control areas. To this end, as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster we have now begun to implement a borderline management strategy to deal with, amongst others, the illegal trafficking of firearms into the country.  This approach includes detailed analysis of control dysfunctions, the detection of the origin of illegal firearms, linking of cases and criminality, procedural and focused organized crime interventions as well as effective cross-border operations.

“Our crime reduction efforts are yielding results, particularly around improvements on firearm controls and regulations.  We dare not become complacent and say our work is complete but we must all be motivated to do more.  The tide against criminals is turning; citizens and government are now having an upper hand.  To this end, we view this as a joint victory of the police and the communities.  This destruction must therefore give hope where there was hopelessness,” concluded the Minister. 

Zweli Mnisi
Spokesperson to the Minister of Police
Ministry of Police
Mobile: +27 (0)82 045 4024