UK helps Botswana destroy guns

2002-10-24 21:51

Gaborone - The British government has handed over machinery to the Botswana police that will allow it to destroy illegal and confiscated small arms.

"The United Kingdom has a strategy to curb small arms proliferation," British High Commissioner to Botswana David Merry said.

"Through its Small Arms Destruction Fund, the British government funds the supply and training in the use of this type of equipment in Africa."

Merry handed over the MacIntyre 4000 machine to Botswana's deputy police commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako.

Tsimako said more than 1 200 small arms were awaiting destruction and 3 000 had already been destroyed by a private contractor.

Despite its tight gun control laws, Botswana has seen an influx of illegal weapons from neighbouring South Africa.

- SAPA