By a Correspondent
POLICE say members of the public have surrendered 538 guns and 260 rounds of ammunition during the Presidential Firearm Amnesty which lapses on 30 September.
The Amnesty came into effect on 8 August in terms of Article 12 of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Protocol on the control of firearms, ammunition, and related materials.
It seeks to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of firearms, ammunition, and other related materials.
The Protocol 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.
National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi called on members of the public to cooperate with the police.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges those who are yet to surrender their firearms, to utilize the opportunity before criminal charges are preferred against anyone who will be found in possession of unlicensed firearms during the pending physical check exercise to be conducted by the police on all residential and business premises where illegal firearms are suspected to be kept or hidden,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, therefore, reminds the public that the amnesty is ending on 30th September 2022. Police applaud members of the public who took heed of the amnesty to voluntarily surrender firearms and comply with the police verification exercise.”
