Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA BY MR SYDNEY MUFAMADI, MINISTER OF SAFETY AND SECURITY, 1 OCTOBER 1996, PRETORIA
EXTENSION OF THE PROHIBITION ON THE POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS TO THE ENTIRE SOUTH AFRICA
On 22 March 1996, Government Notice No 509 was published prohibiting the carrying of certain dangerous weapons at public gatherings in 68 magisterial districts throughout South Africa. The Notice referred to weapons such as spears, pangas and axes. During September 1996 the Government Notice was amended by adding a number of additional dangerous weapons to the existing list. These were weapons such as hand grenades, explosives and machine guns. This category of dangerous weapons could not be covered by the recent prohibition on the carrying of firearms at gatherings because they do not fall within the ambit of the definition of a firearm.
Government Notice No 509 referred to above expired a few days ago.
A fresh Government Notice will appear in the Government Gazette today, 1 October 1996. In terms of this Notice the same prohibition is placed on the carrying of dangerous weapons at public gatherings, but this time it is applicable throughout the country and not only in certain magisterial districts.
The original Government Notice was published at a time when crowds in different parts of the country were brandishing about dangerous weapons during public processions in a general display of lawlessness. The threat to public safety and the serious potential for violence made it necessary to issue the Government Notice prohibiting the possession of such weapons during marches.
The police have instructions to enforce the prohibition throughout the country in a manner which minimises the potential for further violence. If necessary, video film will be used to prosecute individual transgressors in cases where it is inappropriate to arrest them during a march.
The Notice published today will come into effect on 4 October 1996.
Enquiries: Maxwell Mulaudzi - 082 373 2005