Manenberg SAPS went on a walk-about at the Nyanga Junction on January 17, to hand out pamphlets about the firearm amnesty, and also spoke to the community and commuters about handing over firearms and ammunition that are illegally in their possession.
Police Minister Bheki Cele declared a firearm amnesty period for six months starting from Sunday December 1 2019 to Sunday May 31.
This amnesty period is an opportunity for all South Africans to surrender unwanted firearms or illegal firearms and ammunition in their possession without any prosecution.
Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett, said they approached a wide range of commuters, encouraging them to heed the call of the minister and to spread the amnesty message to friends and family that could be in possession of illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition.
“The Manenberg policing precinct has been plagued by gang violence, which often lead to fatal shootings of innocent people, and often through the access of illegal firearms and ammunition. The minister’s vision is to reduce the number of illegal firearms and ammunition in circulation within our communities and thus reducing the stockpile of gangs’ illegal access to firearms and ammunition. The reduction of illegal and unwanted firearms and ammunition in circulation will definitely contribute to the reduction in murders of innocent citizens by gangs,” Captain Bennett said.
A dedicated police officer is assigned to deal with the surrendering of unwanted firearms and ammunition at every police station. The handover must be done in person, and if so wished, the person can apply for a licence in respect of such a firearm.
The application must be handed to the designated police officer responsible for the policing precinct in which the applicant resides. A certified copy of the applicant’s competency certificate must accompany the application. If the applicant does not have a competency certificate the applicant must apply for one in accordance with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act. The applicant has to complete an application form 271, on which the applicant must indicate their intention to apply for the specific firearm licence.
The application for the firearm licence will only be accepted by the designated police officer, on condition that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Firearm Controls Act.
A comprehensive motivation in support of the application for the need to possess a firearm in the form of an affidavit or affirmation, must accompany the application.
Anyone within the Manenberg policing precinct, who wants to enquire about the firearm amnesty, or application for a firearm, can contact Captain Reginald Makume at 021 699 9400.