The Portfolio Committee on Police has called on the police to effectively implement the Dangerous Weapons Bill. The Bill was adopted by the Committee this morning and will repeal all legislation dealing with dangerous weapons. There are currently five different pieces of legislation that deal with dangerous weapons, including the Dangerous Weapons Act of 1982.
The Bill will also give powers to the police to arrest and disarm those that are carrying dangerous weapons under suspicious circumstances. The Committee, however, wants to reiterate the fact that the Bill does not take away citizens' self-defence rights and abilities.
“The Bill will not in any way disarm citizens from carrying self-defence weapons," said Committee chairperson, Ms Annelize van Wyk.
The Bill will further strengthen the Gatherings Act, by not only outlawing carrying of firearms during gatherings, but any objects that can be used as weapons during scuffles. The revised Bill has also taken into consideration concerns raised by the public during the public hearings that it should not interfere with carrying of religious or traditional weapons during traditional or religious gatherings. The Bill will ensure the legitimate collection and display of weapons.
The Committee has also welcomed the implementation plan of how the Bill will be rolled out by South African Police Service (SAPS). “It is important to have a proper implementation plan to ensure that police officers are trained and to back the discretionary powers provided to the police officers who will implement the legislation,” said Ms Van Wyk. The Bill will be debated by the National Assembly on the 19th of this month.
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Kanyisa Ndyondya
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