News / National
Zimbabwe gun owners get ultimatum
24 Jan 2014 at 00:18hrs | Views
POLICE in Bulawayo have given residents who possess firearms up to next week to clear them with the police or risk arrest.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo yesterday said the exercise was meant to account for every gun in the city.
He said on February 1 police would make a follow up on gun owners to ensure all the weapons were registered.
"Crime prevention is crucial hence the exercise.
"In Bulawayo we are saying if every gun is accounted for and monitored, chances of the weapons being used to commit a crime are minimised," said Insp Moyo.
He said anyone with an unlicensed firearm should immediately surrender it to the police while those who had expired gun licences should renew them.
"People who genuinely need firearms, like businesspeople who need to deter robbers apply to the police and get licences. However, it is important for such people to ensure that their guns are properly secured and that they constantly check them.
"Some people get guns, lock them away and forget them. They may assume the weapon is safe when it may no longer be where they put it. When such a weapon is used to commit a crime, the licensed owner is liable," said Insp Moyo.
He said there was a possibility that some lawfully registered firearms were being released by their owners to criminals.
"The clearance exercise is also meant to counter the practice. We have managed to keep people in Bulawayo safe and prevented the city turning into a place where people are afraid to walk on the streets through crime prevention measures.
"We are looking forward to the continued support from members of the public on this issue and other measures meant to fight crime," said Insp Moyo.
"At the end of the month, we shall intensify monitoring of firearms in the city. Anyone caught with an illegal weapon shall have themselves to blame as they will face the full wrath of the law," he said.
During the festive season, five armed robbers pounced on Nkulumane Sekusile Choppies Supermarket in Bulawayo and emptied the tills at gunpoint before getting away with $1,200.
In a related incident, three armed robbers raided Trek Garage in Mpopoma suburb during the same period. They fired warning shots and went away with $3,500.
Armed robbers also raided four shops in Nkulumane 11 and two Choppies supermarkets, one of them located in the city centre.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo yesterday said the exercise was meant to account for every gun in the city.
He said on February 1 police would make a follow up on gun owners to ensure all the weapons were registered.
"Crime prevention is crucial hence the exercise.
"In Bulawayo we are saying if every gun is accounted for and monitored, chances of the weapons being used to commit a crime are minimised," said Insp Moyo.
He said anyone with an unlicensed firearm should immediately surrender it to the police while those who had expired gun licences should renew them.
"People who genuinely need firearms, like businesspeople who need to deter robbers apply to the police and get licences. However, it is important for such people to ensure that their guns are properly secured and that they constantly check them.
He said there was a possibility that some lawfully registered firearms were being released by their owners to criminals.
"The clearance exercise is also meant to counter the practice. We have managed to keep people in Bulawayo safe and prevented the city turning into a place where people are afraid to walk on the streets through crime prevention measures.
"We are looking forward to the continued support from members of the public on this issue and other measures meant to fight crime," said Insp Moyo.
"At the end of the month, we shall intensify monitoring of firearms in the city. Anyone caught with an illegal weapon shall have themselves to blame as they will face the full wrath of the law," he said.
During the festive season, five armed robbers pounced on Nkulumane Sekusile Choppies Supermarket in Bulawayo and emptied the tills at gunpoint before getting away with $1,200.
In a related incident, three armed robbers raided Trek Garage in Mpopoma suburb during the same period. They fired warning shots and went away with $3,500.
Armed robbers also raided four shops in Nkulumane 11 and two Choppies supermarkets, one of them located in the city centre.
Source - chronicle
