Khomas tops ammunition list
A total of 1 276 firearms, 99 509 rounds of ammunition and 81 explosive devices were surrendered under an amnesty declared by the Ministry of Safety and Security.
The Namibian Police declared a gun amnesty in August 2016 which ran for three months and was subsequently extended to 18 February 2017.
The Khomas Region registered the highest number of armaments returned, with a total of 806 firearms, 55 712 rounds of ammunition and 21 explosive devices, followed by Otjozondjupa with 72 firearms, 22 491 rounds of ammunition and 45 explosive devices.
A large quantity of ammunition was also returned in the Oshikoto (8 652), Ohangwena (3 022) and Hardap (3 045) regions, while
//Karas (68), Erongo (62), Omusati (73) and Oshikoto (62) saw a high number of surrendered firearms.
The only regions where explosive devices were surrendered were Khomas, Otjozondjupa and //Karas (15).
Safety and security minister Charles Namoloh said the firearms would be subjected to ballistic tests. “The ministry is in the process of establishing if any of the firearms handed over has been used in the commission of crime through ballistic tests.”
Ndeitunga said the government was concerned about the proliferation of illegal weapons and ammunition that had been found by the police during operations conducted nationwide.
He said the reason why there were so many illegal guns in Namibia was the Angolan and South African conflict, during which war materials had been acquired by many citizens.
He said from 2013 to 2015 the police had confiscated 560 illegal firearms.
“This year there is a big number, but they may still be tied up with investigations in court cases,” he said.
“Illegal firearms in irresponsible hands are a great concern and are used in violent crimes,” said Ndeitunga. He said an earlier amnesty had been declared in 1992, but despite that some people still possessed unlicensed weapons.
The Namibian Police declared a gun amnesty in August 2016 which ran for three months and was subsequently extended to 18 February 2017.
The Khomas Region registered the highest number of armaments returned, with a total of 806 firearms, 55 712 rounds of ammunition and 21 explosive devices, followed by Otjozondjupa with 72 firearms, 22 491 rounds of ammunition and 45 explosive devices.
A large quantity of ammunition was also returned in the Oshikoto (8 652), Ohangwena (3 022) and Hardap (3 045) regions, while
//Karas (68), Erongo (62), Omusati (73) and Oshikoto (62) saw a high number of surrendered firearms.
The only regions where explosive devices were surrendered were Khomas, Otjozondjupa and //Karas (15).
Safety and security minister Charles Namoloh said the firearms would be subjected to ballistic tests. “The ministry is in the process of establishing if any of the firearms handed over has been used in the commission of crime through ballistic tests.”
Ndeitunga said the government was concerned about the proliferation of illegal weapons and ammunition that had been found by the police during operations conducted nationwide.
He said the reason why there were so many illegal guns in Namibia was the Angolan and South African conflict, during which war materials had been acquired by many citizens.
He said from 2013 to 2015 the police had confiscated 560 illegal firearms.
“This year there is a big number, but they may still be tied up with investigations in court cases,” he said.
“Illegal firearms in irresponsible hands are a great concern and are used in violent crimes,” said Ndeitunga. He said an earlier amnesty had been declared in 1992, but despite that some people still possessed unlicensed weapons.
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