admin
Crime Reporter
Police have warned those with unlicensed weapons or ammunition to hand them over or face physical police checks and verifications on all residential and business premises where illegal firearms are suspected to be hidden.
Under the new firearms amnesty granted by President Mnangagwa and running until the end of this month, any one with unlicensed firearms or ammunition can hand them in to any police station without risk of prosecution.
The amnesty is designed to remove unlicensed weapons from circulation.
Two years ago, the President granted the first amnesty in line with Article 12 of the SADC protocol on the control of firearms, ammunition, and related materials.
That amnesty saw 580 firearms handed over. Many were firearms left by dead relatives or those bought some time ago but no longer used and left unlicensed. But even firearms picked up as souvenirs or smuggled in were handed over, including those with no clear history. The purpose of an amnesty is to get such weapons out of circulation and no action will be taken against those handing them over.
In a statement, national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said those holding unlicensed firearms should surrender them at the nearest station.
He said the exercise sought to reduce the number of illegal firearms in circulation, thereby enhancing public safety and reducing the risk of firearm-related crimes.
Those with licences should make sure they visit their local police station to update records and licences.
And he warned that police were planning searches after the amnesty to track down illegal firearms. “Physical checks and verifications will be conducted on all residential and business premises where illegal firearms are suspected to be.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police informs the public that the 2024 Firearms Amnesty on voluntary surrender of firearms and ammunition is currently underway. The amnesty period will run from September 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024.
“The Police have noted that some members of the public are holding onto or own firearms and ammunition yet some are not licensed or authorised to own such weapons. This has led to the abuse of firearms in the country in clear violation of the provisions of the Firearms Act,” he said.
Police have also observed that some licensed firearm holders are no longer renewing their firearm certificates or even notifying the authorities about the change in residential or business addresses to enable constant checks to be made by the police on the status of the firearms.
“As previously done in the years 2022 and 2023, the public and relevant institutions are reminded and urged to go to the nearest police stations and formally surrender all firearms under the listed categories: companies who have closed and their representatives are still holding on to firearms; farmers, miners, hunters and individuals who are no longer in the same position that they were when they applied for firearm certificates; firearm licence holders who have died and relatives are holding on to the firearm without regularising new firearm ownership; and unregistered firearms are obtained through smuggling amongst other means.
“These firearms need to be surrendered to the State for destruction or registration. Gun dealers or gun clubs are holding unclaimed firearms that were surrendered to them for safe keeping for a considerable long period hence the need for such firearms to be surrendered to the State.
“Security companies who are holding on to redundant firearms which are not being surrendered to the Zimbabwe Republic Police National Armoury for destruction by the State,” Comm Nyathi said.
Online Reporter