Gun law 'will cost billions'

2005-09-01 08:49

Michele O' Connor

Cape Town - The new Arms Control Act implemented in July last year will cost the taxpayer more than R2bn in the next four years it has been estimated.

Alex Holmes, chairperson of the South African Firearms Forum, said on Wednesday that even parliament was in the dark at first about the initial costs of the implementation of the new law.

"The police originally estimated it would cost a little more than R270m. That's absurd. No act (of any value) of this extent can come so cheap.

"Canada is busy with similar changes to its weapons act. That country's estimated budget of $2m has already grown to $860m.

"Shortly before the act was implemented, police made known the full impact after questions were asked in parliament. By then, the R270m had increased to R2.1bn," he said.

Holmes said the police kept quiet about an additional R800m, which included, among other things, new vehicles, additional staff, computers and a special computer for fingerprints.

Calls for an urgent debate

"The administration of the new act is a mess," he said.

Roy Jankielsohn, the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson on safety and security, said parliament should have an urgent debate on the act.

"Renewal of licences and the costs are expensive and many people cannot afford it."

"The backlog for renewals and appeals is also unacceptable."

Jankielsohn said the police also had their own problems.

Staff shortages and a lack of communication between the police and the Central Weapons Register was a nightmare.

- Die Burger