Police destroy illegal firearms

Sharon Mathala | Thursday July 10, 2014 14:36

 

Outside of the 100 illegally acquired guns, the balance was destroyed for being “worn out and old”. Speaking at a bonfire event to destroy the weapons, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Senior Superintendent Victor Paledi, said the demonstration was to reaffirm local police’s zero tolerance approach to all crimes involving firearms.

This year’s firearms destined for the trash heap were an increase on the 125 destroyed last year on the same occasion.

“Our motivation in publicly burning a few of the firearms is to locally and internationally demonstrate our commitment to zero tolerance of all firearm crimes such as murder, poaching, robbery,” he said.

“We also destroy these guns as a way of discouraging illegal acquisition and the general possession of firearms.”

He further explained that guns are at the centre of conflicts in most cases and have become the weapon of choice for criminals.

At a recent UN meeting on eradicating trade in small arms held in New York, Paledi announced that Botswana was reviewing its arms legislation, regulations and administrative procedures.

He also revealed that a draft bill is being developed to regulate the import, export, transit and transfer of small arms.

“The draft bill will repeal the 1981 Arms and Ammunition Act and align it with international and regional instruments aimed at controlling the illicit proliferation of small arms,” the Senior Superintendent said.