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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has granted a 53-day amnesty to holders of unregistered firearms and ammunition, including those in possession of smuggled firearms to surrender the weapons to any nearest police station without any questions being asked.

The amnesty runs from August 8 to September 30 and was granted in terms of Article 12 of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Protocol on the control of firearms, ammunition and related materials.

The primary objective of the Sadc Protocol is to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of firearms, ammunition and other related materials. It also seeks to regulate the import and export of legal small arms and thus curb the transit of these weapons into, and within, the region.

firearms

In addition, the Protocol aims for the harmonisation of national legislation across member states on the manufacture and ownership of small arms and light weapons.

Police said they have noted that some members of the public are holding on to or are in possession of firearms and ammunition yet some are not licensed to be in possession of such weapons. This has led to the current abuse of firearms in the country in clear violation of the provisions of the Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09.

Checks and records, said the police, have revealed that some companies have closed yet their representatives are still holding onto firearms while hunters and individuals are no longer in the same position that they were when they applied for firearm licences and on the other hand, relatives of late firearms licence holders are still holding on to firearms with some of them being used to commit various crimes which include armed robbery.

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.

“Individuals and institutions are improperly securing firearms resulting in some falling into wrong hands and being used to commit robbery and murder cases. There are some licensed gun dealers and clubs who are holding on to unclaimed firearms which were surrendered to them for safekeeping.

They have not been taken by owners for a number of years. In this regard, the Zimbabwe Republic Police advises the public that in line with Artice 12 of Sadc Protocol on the control of firearms, ammunition, and related materials, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has granted an amnesty to all members of the public who are in possession of firearms and ammunition falling under the categories listed above to voluntarily surrender them to the Zimbabwe Republic Police from August 8 to September 30, 2022.

President Mnangagwa

“The firearms should be surrendered to any nearest police station with the volunteer being given an official safe custody receipt to confirm that the weapon has indeed been taken over by the police officer at the local police station.

No criminal charges will be preferred to members of the public during this period as long as one complies with the provisions of the Presidential Amnesty,” said the ZRP national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the amnesty also covers anyone who is in possession of any weapon which was smuggled or illegally brought into the country.

He said police will be making physical checks on residential and business premises that it suspects could be keeping illegal firearms.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police takes this opportunity to inform the public that physical checks and verifications will be conducted on all residential and business premises where illegal firearms are suspected to be. In the same vein, all licensed firearm owners are implored to visit local police stations and update their records in compliance with the Firearms Act Chapter 10:09,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.