Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
MR SYDNEY MUFAMADI, MINISTER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, PRETORIA
Tuesday, November 26, 1996
Thousands of firearm licences are registered and issued in the Central Firearm Register in Pretoria every year. The proper control over the legal ownership of firearms in South Africa depends largely on an efficient and tightly run Central Firearms Register.
A critical assessment of the Central Firearms Register has not been made for many years. Criticism has been expressed about the fact that some known criminals and gang members appear to own licensed arms despite previous convictions which would normally disqualify them from owning such arms.
The large number of arms owned by some individuals has also been questioned. These are suggestions that some individuals own up to a few hundred firearms. Other complaints relate to suggestions that some applicants for firearms licences receive preference over others and that irregularities may have taken place in the Central Firearms Registry.
I have therefore decided that a thorough internal investigation into such allegations and into the running of the Central Firearms Registry should take place.
A Committee of Inquiry, consisting of four individuals, has been appointed. In order to ensure that the investigation is credible and independent, I have appointed Ms Sheena Duncan, a well known civil rights campaigner, as the chairperson of the Committee of Inquiry. The other three members are skilled senior police officers with experience in the areas of detective work, illegal firearm investigations and the Central Firearm Register.
The Committee of Inquiry will commence with its task immediately and it is expected to furnish me with a report by the end of March 1997.
My Ministry and the Department of Safety and Security are considering a number of initiatives aimed at the more effective regulation of licensed firearms and at introducing more effective steps to combat the illegal possession and smuggling of firearms. Announcements in this regard can be expected shortly.
Enquiries: Maxwell Mulaudzi 082 373 2005 Press Secretary