Slow response to firearm amnesty in Erongo
NAMPA
SWAKOPMUND
The police in the Erongo Region are worried about the slow response by community members to hand over illegal firearms and ammunition during the amnesty period.
The regional head of community policing, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, said: “There is not much coming forth from community members so far and last week, only one firearm was handed over in Swakopmund.”
People in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition have been given a grace period of one month to surrender all unlicensed firearms, armaments and ammunition to the police without being prosecuted.
The amnesty was announced by the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, at the beginning of September.
Kawana said anyone complying with the call to surrender illegal weapons and ammunition during September would be exempted from prosecution.
Shapumba said he hopes people are waiting until the last minute to hand in their illegal firearms, or are waiting to see whether others are indeed not arrested.
“What we are saying is gazetted. You may use the law if at all something contrary happens. We know illegal firearms are among us.
“Those who have stolen them, those who are tired of them or those who have too many, we are really urging them to use this opportunity,” he added.
SWAKOPMUND
The police in the Erongo Region are worried about the slow response by community members to hand over illegal firearms and ammunition during the amnesty period.
The regional head of community policing, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, said: “There is not much coming forth from community members so far and last week, only one firearm was handed over in Swakopmund.”
People in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition have been given a grace period of one month to surrender all unlicensed firearms, armaments and ammunition to the police without being prosecuted.
The amnesty was announced by the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, at the beginning of September.
Kawana said anyone complying with the call to surrender illegal weapons and ammunition during September would be exempted from prosecution.
Shapumba said he hopes people are waiting until the last minute to hand in their illegal firearms, or are waiting to see whether others are indeed not arrested.
“What we are saying is gazetted. You may use the law if at all something contrary happens. We know illegal firearms are among us.
“Those who have stolen them, those who are tired of them or those who have too many, we are really urging them to use this opportunity,” he added.
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