'Gun quota' claims
2003-09-01 16:20
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance on Monday accused government of limiting the rights of South Africans to protect themselves, while it did nothing to solve spiralling crime.
DA MP Paul Swart said Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula must explain if and why there was a gun licence quota in place.
Swart was reacting to a newspaper report that said Nqakula had issued a decree that at least 80% of all gun licence applications be turned down.
"The use of a quota system for gun licence applications must surely be legally problematic and could be challenged in the Constitutional Court.
The government is unable to protect ordinary men and women, how dare they now try to limit South Africans' right to protect themselves and their loved ones?"
Swart said Nqakula must publicly state whether there is a quota for gun licences.
If a quota does exists, he must explain the criteria used to judge applications.
- SAPA