Museum weapons probed again

2005-02-22 14:21

Johannesburg - Military police visited the South African Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, on Monday.

Makgolo Makgolo, the chief executive of a cluster of museums known as the Northern Flagships Institute (NFI) said the visit was a sequel to January's raids on the museum, and was in accord with a subsequent agreement to amicably investigate the origin of some of the weapons displayed there.

He denied radio reports that the visit was either a raid or was to confiscate assault rifles.

"It is not a raid. There is nothing controversial about it. It is nothing to write home about," Makgolo said.

He said the visit was planned last week after a meeting between the NFI and the SA National Defence Force.

Makgolo said after the January raid, when three armoured vehicles and an infantry combat vehicle were removed from the museum, a joint statement indicated that the Military Police Agency would continue its investigation into the origin of some weapons.

A joint task team was also established to make sure the museum's facilities complied with legislation regarding the keeping of arms.

"We had a meeting last week in order to concretise agreement. We set time frames when the defence force could go to see what is there."

Makgolo said anything taken from the museum on Tuesday would have to be returned under the agreement.

The SANDF was asked for comment but could not immediately respond.

A museum spokesperson declined to comment and referred Sapa to the NFI.

- SAPA