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Peter Matika, [email protected]
POLICE have urged all illegal firearm and ammunition holders to voluntarily surrender the weapons under a new amnesty order that ends on 30 September this year.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the amnesty was launched on 1 September.
“Police 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 or authorized to be in possession of such weapons. This has led to the abuse of firearms in the country in clear violation of the provisions of the Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09,” said Comm Nyathi.
He said some licensed firearm holders are no longer renewing their firearm certificates or notifying authorities when they change 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 year 2022 and 2023, the public and relevant institutions are reminded and urged to go to nearest police stations and formally surrender all firearms,” said Comm Nyathi.
He said companies that have ceased operations, farmers, miners, hunters and individuals who are no longer in the same position that they were when they applied for firearm certificates to surrender the firearms.
“Firearm licence holders who have died and relatives are holding on to the firearm without regularizing new firearm ownership. Unregistered firearms 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 of time 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.
He said the exercise is aimed at reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation, thereby enhancing public safety and reducing the risk of firearm related crimes.
Comm Nyathi said police will be conducting physical checks and verifications 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 Comm Nyathi.