Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
MEDIA RELEASE BY MR SYDNEY MUFAMADI, MINISTER OF SAFETY AND SECURITY, CAPE TOWN, AUGUST 30, 1996.
re: Government notice on firearms.
I have signed a Government Notice which will be published in the Government Gazette on Monday, September 2, 1996. In terms of the Notice the possession of firearms at any gathering in public place will b prohibited. The notice will be effective country-wide.
Ongoing manifestations of public lawless are unacceptable and constitute a threat to the safety and security of citizens and stability in the country generally. In many volatile situations, firearms (including automatic), rifles, have been brandished in public - thereby hightening tensions and increasing the risk of public violence and even death.
Recent examples are the brandishing of weapons during marches in the Western Cape by gang members and members of PAGAD as well as the shooting incident outside the Pietermaritzburg Supreme Court.
In future such conduct will constitute and offence and the police will have the power to confiscate the firearms. In addition, a person found guilty of contravening the prohibition is likely to be declared unfit to possess a firearm, thereby permanently forfeiting any right to obtain a firearm license.
The prohibition is not aimed at the average law abiding citizen who has a firearm license. The Government Notice provides for the exemption of certain categories of persons from the provisions of the Notice. In addition, the National Commissioner of the SAPS, and Provincial Commissioners, have the authority to grant written permission to certain individuals to possess firearms at a gathering.
In order to ensure that both the public and all members of the police are properly informed about the detail of the Notice. The notice will only come into operation fourteen days after being published in the Government Gazette.
More details about the content of the Government Notice will be made public once it has been published in the Government Gazette
Enquiries: Mulalo Maxwell Mulaudzi 082 373 2005