Presidential firearms amnesty nets 144 guns
Yvonne Mutambwa
The number of unlicensed firearms that have been surrendered to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) since President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted a presidential amnesty on voluntary surrender of firearms and ammunition on 8 August this year has risen to 114.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reported that 15 more unlicensed firearms had been surrendered by the 16th of August in addition to the eight-five (85) firearms that had been handed in previously.
In a statement posted on their official Twitter page on Monday, 22 August, ZRP said one more firearm was surrendered on Sunday. ZRP said:
“The ZRP noted that on August 21, 2022, one firearm was returned on operation ‘Firearm Amnesty’. The cumulative number of firearms since August 8, 22 now stands at 144.”
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi further said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police advises the public that in line with Article 12 of SADC Protocol on the control of firearms, ammunition and related materials, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has granted an amnesty to all members of the public who are in possession of firearms and ammunition falling under the categories listed above to voluntarily surrender them to the Zimbabwe Republic Police from 8th August to 30th September 2022.
“The firearms should be surrendered to any nearest Police station with the volunteer being given an official safe custody receipt to confirm that the weapon has indeed been taken over by the Police officer at the local Police station.”
No criminal charges will be preferred to members of the public during this period as long as one complies with the provisions of the Presidential Amnesty.
The amnesty also covers anyone who is in possession of any weapon which was smuggled or illegally brought into the country.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police takes this opportunity to inform the public that physical checks and verifications will be conducted on all residential and business premises where illegal firearms are suspected to be.”
“In the same vein, all licensed firearm owners are implored to visit local Police stations and update their records in compliance with the Firearms Act Chapter 10:09,” added Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
The latest Presidential firearm amnesty comes in the wake of increased gun related crimes being recorded countrywide, the majority of which are committed using unlicensed firearms which are smuggled from neighbouring countries.
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