Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
CLOSE to 6 000 suspects have been arrested countrywide for having unlicenced firearms, failure to renew firearms, misuse of toy guns and unlawful possession of other dangerous weapons.
They were arrested under the ongoing operation code-named, “No to Illegal Firearms, Misuse of Toy Guns and Dangerous Weapons”.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.
“Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s statement on the arrests made under the ongoing operation code-named ‘No to Illegal Firearms, Misuse of Toy Guns and Dangerous Weapons’, released on September 3, 2025. As from August 27, 2025, to date, the Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested 2 132 suspects for having unlicensed firearms, failure to renew firearms, misuse of toy guns and unlawful possession of other dangerous weapons,” he said.
Police recovered 60 unlicensed firearms, 305 firearms with expired firearm certificates, 96 firearms for other firearm-related offences, 258 misused toy guns and 2 967 other dangerous weapons.
A total of 604 arrests were made on suspects for selling and possessing prohibited skin lightening products.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges the public to properly secure firearms and adhere to firearms safety regulations. In the event of a firearm owner’s passing on, family members and estate administrators are required to surrender the firearms to the police, as stipulated in the Firearms Act (Chapter 10:09),” Comm Nyathi said.
Meanwhile, police have implored the public to prepare for the forthcoming Presidential Firearms Amnesty, where individuals and institutions are allowed to voluntarily surrender unregistered firearms and ammunition without prosecution.
The full details will be released in due course.
