Over 11 000 firearms destroyed
2003-12-18 21:00
Johannesburg - Gauteng police have destroyed a total of 11 687 firearms and 67 470 rounds of ammunition in the province since October 8, they said on Thursday.
Director Faizel Abdul-Kader said the operation was a continuous effort to curb the proliferation of firearms and to reduce firearm-related violence.
He said research conducted by the police has revealed that each firearm in the hands of criminals was used in an average of five crimes each.
This added up to a total of 55 000 potential violent crimes being committed with the 11 000 guns. Abdul-Kader said the operations were not merely about destroying firearms, but about preventing violent crimes.
- SAPA