1037 illegal firearms recovered in eight months
Following an oral question to the MEC of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, today; it was revealed that SAPS have recovered 1037 illegal firearms since November 2018. MEC Fritz calls on Police Minister Bheki Cele, to urgently ensure that these firearms are destroyed.
MEC Fritz said, “SAPS revealed that between November 2018 and July 2019, 1037 illegal firearms where recovered in the Western Cape. The number of recovered illegal firearms has decreased slightly from 1047 between November 2017 and October 2018. I call on Police Minister Bheki Cele to urgently ensure the destruction of these illegal firearms to guarantee that they are not leaked back into the illegal pool of weapons in the province.”
MEC Fritz said, “It is important to note that the majority of guns are legally manufactured and that all illegal guns were once legal before being diverted to the illegal arsenal of weapons in South Africa. Illegal weapons are brought into our province through smuggling, fraud and poor enforcement of the Firearms Control Act, and loss and theft of firearms from civilians and state institutions.”
At the same time, residents are urged to continue making use of the Illegal Firearms Hotline which can be contacted on 078 330 9333. There is a reward of R10 000 to individuals who provide accurate information on the illegal distribution of firearms.
Under the leadership of MEC Fritz, the Department of Community Safety will continue to use every tool at its disposal, as determined by Section 206 of the Constitution, to safeguard the Western Cape.
Media enquiries:
MEC Albert Fritz
Cell: 083 307 0192
Cayla Ann Tomás Murray - Spokesperson for MEC Albert Fritz
Tel: 021 483 8550
Cell: 064 121 7959
Email: Cayla.murray@westerncape.gov.za
