Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
PRETORIA, SEPTEMBER 2, 1996.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE PROHIBITING POSSESSION OF FIREARM AT GATHERINGS
A Notice will be published in the Government Gazette tonight (Monday 2 September 1996) in terms of which the possession of firearms at any gathering in a public place will be prohibited as from 16 September 1996.
The Notice and Schedule sets out details of those categories of persons who are exempt from the provisions. The public is urged to make a detailed study of the Notice and the Schedule.
The Government is determined to ensure that tighter controls over the use and possession of firearms are introduced. Whilst ongoing efforts are being made to track and confiscate illegal firearms, and to arrest those found in unlawful possession, it has also became necessary to start looking afresh at existing firearm licenses.
I have already directed the Commissioner of the police in the Western Cape Province to investigate the licences held by some known gang leaders in order to establish whether they were issued legitimately and whether possible previous convictions or other factors do not disqualify such persons from the right to have a licensed firearm.
The National Commissioner has also been directed to set up a team of individuals, which should include civilians of integrity, to look at the Central Firearm Register in order to check whether there are not individuals whose existing licenses should be reconsidered. We need to satisfy ourselves that existing license holders are in fact fit and proper persons to own a firearm.
Enquiries: Maxwell Malaudzi 082 373 2005