Firearm appeals gather dust

2004-07-13 08:45

Lizel Steenkamp

Johannesburg - More than 6 000 appeals submitted by people asking for firearm licences have been gathering dust in Pretoria because the independent appeal board has been out of action since May 1.

The board is the last resort for people who have had their gun licence applications turned down by the national firearm register.

In terms of the new Firearms Control Act, the board has to consider appeals from those who have been denied licences.

The board can authorise an application or refuse it. In the latter event, a person could then turn to the High Court.

Pieter Burger, a former magistrate, sat on the board for 10 years. He has chaired it for the past five years.

No longer a quorum for the board

However, his contract ended on April 30, he said, adding that three weeks after his departure no one had been appointed in his place.

He also said one of the other two board members had resigned. As a result, the appeal board could no longer function, as there was not a quorum.

It is understood there has not been an appeal board sitting since Burger's departure.

However, 6 000 appeals have piled up and an informed source said on Monday: "It's a nightmare and the public isn't even aware of it."

Burger said the board received, on average, 50 to 100 appeals a day.

"It is imperative the board sits every day because of the volume," he said.

At the time he left, Burger said, it had already taken three months for an appeal to be decided.

- Beeld