Illegal gun owners warned

2005-03-08 14:08

Cape Town - People who are still possession of illegal guns after March 31, were likely to get a 25-year jail term, Security Minister Charles Nqakula told BuaNews on Tuesday.

Nqakula said those who possessed guns without the required licences, would also face the wrath of the law.

Nqakula said: "Come March 31 and you still haven't handed your gun to the police, we will look for you and arrest you.

"The maximum penalty for people found in possession of illegal firearms is a 25-year-jail term."

The amnesty period, which would end on March 31, required people in possession of illegal firearms to hand them over to their nearest police station and receive amnesty.

Minister meet taxi drivers

The minister was speaking on Monday at the Noord Street taxi rank in Johannesburg, where he addressed members of the public and taxi drivers from different associations, about the importance of people handing over their guns.

He addressed different concerns from the drivers and the public, including an issue raised by driver David Kgomo from the Alexandra, Randburg and Sandton Taxi Association.

Although the amnesty period was a right move to decrease crime in the country, Kgomo decried the use of ballistic tests on the guns, to see if the weapons had been used in committing any crime.

A 58-year-old taxi driver said: "If they say we should hand over the guns, then they shouldn't ask any questions."

However, Nqakula explained that ballistic tests were necessary so that police would not have to destroy guns that might be needed as evidence in criminal cases.

The minister said since the amnesty period started, police had collected 12 306 illegal and legal firearms.

- I-Net Bridge (News24)