Rush is on to dump illegal guns
2005-03-29 20:15
Cape Town - More people are expected to rush to police stations countrywide in the next two days to give up their illegal firearms and ammunition, said government news agency BuaNews on Tuesday.
The deadline for the handing in of illegal weapons is March 31 - Thursday.
The agency reported that those who did not hand in illegal guns faced up to 25 years in jail.
According to the police service, more than 20 000 illegal guns and ammunition have been handed in at police stations since the amnesty began in January.
"We still hope more people will hand in their firearms before the deadline," said superintendent Mohlabi Tlomatsana.
The amnesty is aimed at reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation.
Ballistic tests will be done on the firearms to see if they have been used in criminal cases.
Meanwhile, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula has been
visiting provinces to help local police encourage the handover of illegal weapons.