Police Portfolio Committee concerned by use of illegal firearms in violent crimes
One measure would be to enforce stricter control measures in the Police.
The Portfolio Committee on Police is seriously concerned by the violent crimes committed with firearms that are possibly illegal, and has called on the police to fast-track investigations.
Four people were shot and killed in two separate incidents in Cape Town during the weekend, including a ward councillor for Bloekombos. Another councillor was shot and killed last week in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.
Also Read:
https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2018/07/02/unlicensed-firearms-to-be-surrenderedunlicensed-firearms-must-be-surrendered-at-the-police-station-web/
In May this year, the portfolio committee issued a media statement inwhichthey recommended that the police prioritise five steps in order to effectively deal with the proliferation of illegal firearms. These are:
1. Channel more resources to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s specialised unit focusing on illegal firearms.
2. Implement more projects and network operations initiated by crime intelligence to deal with gun smuggling by criminal syndicates.
3. Enforce stricter control measures in South Africa’s Police stores and stations, and also in the arms supply to the South African National Defence Force.
4. Ensure closer cooperation with other South African Development Community countries to deal with the proliferation and inflow of high-calibre automatic firearms in the region.
5. Conduct a full-scale review of the Firearms Registry turn-around strategy and a forensic audit of high-risk areas in the licensing of firearms, as well as permits and authorisations.
The committee is concerned by the steady growth in the illegal firearm pool. More than 800 firearms were stolen from police stations and members of the public in the 2017/18 financial year.
The Chairperson of the committee, Francois Beukman, has called on gun-owning individuals and law-enforcement agencies to ensure that firearms are stored safely at all times.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and called for thorough investigations and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
