'Hand in illegal firearms'

2004-09-24 10:28

Pretoria - The police on Friday urged people to hand in any illegal firearms and ammunition during a three month amnesty period beginning in October.

"All persons who are in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition have a period of 90 days as from October 1 to December 29, 2004 to surrender such a firearm or ammunition to any police station," said police spokesperson Director Phuti Setati.

Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula on Monday announced the amnesty under the New Firearms Control Act.

"This amnesty means an indemnity against prosecution for the unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition," said Setati.

Setati warned that any other offence committed with the firearms or ammunition was not included in the amnesty provisions "and perpetrators of such crimes are duly warned that they will be prosecuted".

Those wanting to take advantage of the amnesty should hand in their firearms and ammunition at any police station, where an official form SAPS 522(b) must be completed in triplicate.

"A copy of the form will be handed over to the person who handed in the firearm and or ammunition as acknowledgement of receipt," said Setati.

The firearms and ammunition would then be destroyed.

He said police were also encouraging legal owners of unwanted firearms and ammunition to hand them over to police to destroy.

Once the amnesty period was over, people illegally possessing firearms could face a penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Those in possession of illegal ammunition could face up to 15 years in prison.

- SAPA