Johannesburg - A programme to educate people about the firearm licence application process will be launched in August, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Wednesday.
Roadshows would be held throughout the country at which people could detail any challenges they had faced with the process, he said in Pretoria.
Speaking after a progress review meeting with the task team responsible for a turnaround strategy for firearms applications, Mthethwa said that the 1 080 696 backlog in applications in February, had been reduced to 121 449 by June 26.
Of these, 60% were already at the central firearms registry.
"We acknowledged that there were challenges but from where I am sitting currently, I am satisfied with [the] progress," he said.
Mthethwa wants all applications for firearm licences, competency certificates and renewals finalised by the end of August.
"Internally, we shall ensure that we implement tailor-made systems that will help us deal with this challenge and avoid future backlogs," he said.
Putting in place systems without understanding applicants' frustrations would not help, he said.
Roadshows would be held throughout the country at which people could detail any challenges they had faced with the process, he said in Pretoria.
Speaking after a progress review meeting with the task team responsible for a turnaround strategy for firearms applications, Mthethwa said that the 1 080 696 backlog in applications in February, had been reduced to 121 449 by June 26.
Of these, 60% were already at the central firearms registry.
"We acknowledged that there were challenges but from where I am sitting currently, I am satisfied with [the] progress," he said.
Mthethwa wants all applications for firearm licences, competency certificates and renewals finalised by the end of August.
"Internally, we shall ensure that we implement tailor-made systems that will help us deal with this challenge and avoid future backlogs," he said.
Putting in place systems without understanding applicants' frustrations would not help, he said.
