Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
A profoundly concerning approach from Government in the fight against crime, the call to change the Firearms Control Bill, has been met with mass hostility.
As previously reported on, Gov seeks to amend the Firearms Control Act 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000). A change focussing on several gun control aspects. Namely, no firearm be issued for self-defence purposes while providing the deletion of provisions permitting a private collector to collect and possess firearms and ammunition in a private collection.
Moreover, Police Minister Bheki Cele claimed there is no right to bear arms in our Constitution, and the Firearm Control Act in its current form grants no such right to citizens either. “Owning a gun in this country remains a privilege made possible through the Firearms Controls Act,” he said, adding that arming citizens would not solve the country’s high crime rate.
Like many, disagreeing with the Police Ministers outlooks, on Saturday, 19 June 2021, several people rallied together to protest the proposed changes—handing over their memorandum of demands during a demonstration outside Parliament. Highlighting the Bill’s flaws, they pointed out that the proposed changes hinder citizens’ constitutional and humanitarian rights to defend themselves.
According to South Africans, the challenge is not with the average person on the street legally owning a self-defence weapon; the problem comes in with illegal firearms such as AK47s or stolen guns, as seen in the following cases.
Making multiple arrests on Sunday, 20 June 2021, KwaZulu-Natal Police had their hands full, dealing with various suspects, all carrying illegal firearms.
Discussing the first set of arrests, police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele explains that on Sunday, police officers from the Provincial Trio and Vehicle Task Team received information concerning suspicious individuals travelling in a bakkie with no registration plates along the Isipingo Old Main Road. “The police officers immediately responded and spotted the vehicle, which was intercepted. Upon searching the vehicle, the police officers discovered five pistols as well as ammunition in possession of the occupants.”
Upon further investigation, it was established that two of the pistols had their serial numbers filed off, and one of the pistols belonged to a deceased person. “The suspects will be profiled to establish if they are linked to other criminal cases. The firearms were seized and will be subjected to ballistic testing,” states Colonel Mbele. Nine suspects were placed under arrest for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and are expected to appear before the Durban Magistrate’s Court today, 22 June 2021.
In a separate incident on Sunday morning, police officers followed up on information about firearms stolen from the Dayeni area in Nongoma.
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala explains, “The complainant alleged that on 22 May 2021 at 06:15, he noticed that his house was broken into by unknown suspects. The safe which contained firearms was stolen.”
Following up on the information, the team of police officers went to the Dulini area, under Mahlabathini policing precinct. During the operation, Captain Gwala states, a suspect was found digging a hole for the safe with the firearms hidden in the bushes. “A 21-year-old suspect was placed under arrest for possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. He was found in possession of a revolver and rifle. A total of 177 rounds of ammunition were found with the suspect.”
In the wake of such reports, living in a country deemed one of the most dangerous counties globally due to grotesque amounts of rape and violence, many Newcastillians are looking to the Government for sound reasoning behind this proposed change to defend one’s life legally.
Have your say on the Draft Bill before 4 July by visiting the following article and clicking the link therein.
READ MORE HERE: No more guns for self-defence if Gov gets its Bill passed. Have your say here
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
RELATED NEWS
2 Responses
I will definitely say no to the new firearms amendment act. It is our constitunel and humanitarian reghts to protect ourselves. Parlimentarian ministers are all corrupt themselves by stealing and selling guns to criminals. They have little or no experience but are appointed in position by corrupt means. Police minister beki Cele has lost his mind. Most crimes are committed by people with illegal weapons. If beki Cele wants to bring about the said firearms control act then he must also disarm the police and all people in government. No to body guards to all people in government sectors. “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
No to the new firearms amendment act. Beki Cele has lost track of crimes committed by illegal gun owners. Police Station and police members are held up and the safes are emptied of weapons. Army base and camps are broken into and high caliber weapons stolen. The very latest report army vehicle stolen at Spar in J. Burg with all high caliber rifles. Will end up in the hands of criminals and used against the civilians.