adminFilbert Ruwende Chronicle Reporter
THE police in Bulawayo have launched an exercise to rid the city of unlicensed guns as part of measures to reduce cases of armed robbery.
Early this year the police gave unlicenced gun holders up to end of February to register their weapons but indications are that some still have unlicenced weapons.
The police believe some of these unlicensed guns are being used by robbers.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube said: “The police are out to check out all firearms that are in private hands. The aim is to ensure that such weapons are in the rightful hands and used for purposes stated on their respective certificates.”
He warned: “All firearm holders should properly secure their weapons and ensure they are licensed. The public should know that failure to secure their firearms is a criminal offence.
“Those who genuinely need firearms and have already bought them but are yet to get certificates should ensure that they surrender such weapons to the police while processing the necessary papers.”
Asst Insp Ncube urged members of the public who had expired certificates for the weapons to surrender them to the police until they renew the certificates.
Said Asst Insp Ncube; “Business people who carry large sums of cash can be issued with gun permits but they should always keep the weapons in a secure place and make regular checks to ensure the weapons are still intact.
“It is every citizen’s duty to report people who have uncertified firearms as they pose danger to the public.”
He said firearm holders should use them for purposes specified on their certificates.
“Those who legally hold firearms should ensure that they carry them only for the purposes specified on their firearms certificates,” said Asst Insp Ncube.
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