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Over 2 000 illegal firearm holders arrested
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have arrested more than 2,000 suspects for illegal possession of firearms and other weapons during an ongoing operation dubbed "No to Illegal Firearms, Misuse of Toy Guns and Dangerous Weapons."
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that as of August 27, a total of 2,132 individuals had been apprehended for offences including unlicensed firearms possession, failure to renew firearm certificates, misuse of toy guns, and possession of other dangerous weapons.
"The police recovered 60 unlicensed firearms, 305 firearms with expired certificates, 96 firearms linked to other offences, 258 misused toy guns, and 2,967 other dangerous weapons," Nyathi said.
The operation follows the expiry of a presidential amnesty for illegal firearm holders, which was launched last September in response to a surge in armed robberies, some involving retired and serving members of the military and police. The amnesty allowed individuals in possession of smuggled or unlawfully imported firearms to voluntarily surrender their weapons without facing prosecution.
Commissioner Nyathi indicated that another presidential firearm amnesty is planned, urging the public to prepare to hand in unregistered firearms and ammunition. "In the event of a firearm owner's passing, family members and State administrators are required to surrender the firearm to the police as stipulated in the Firearms Act [Chapter 10:09]," he said.
The ZRP emphasized that the operation aims to curb the circulation of illegal and unsafe weapons, ensuring public safety and compliance with firearm laws.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that as of August 27, a total of 2,132 individuals had been apprehended for offences including unlicensed firearms possession, failure to renew firearm certificates, misuse of toy guns, and possession of other dangerous weapons.
"The police recovered 60 unlicensed firearms, 305 firearms with expired certificates, 96 firearms linked to other offences, 258 misused toy guns, and 2,967 other dangerous weapons," Nyathi said.
The operation follows the expiry of a presidential amnesty for illegal firearm holders, which was launched last September in response to a surge in armed robberies, some involving retired and serving members of the military and police. The amnesty allowed individuals in possession of smuggled or unlawfully imported firearms to voluntarily surrender their weapons without facing prosecution.
Commissioner Nyathi indicated that another presidential firearm amnesty is planned, urging the public to prepare to hand in unregistered firearms and ammunition. "In the event of a firearm owner's passing, family members and State administrators are required to surrender the firearm to the police as stipulated in the Firearms Act [Chapter 10:09]," he said.
The ZRP emphasized that the operation aims to curb the circulation of illegal and unsafe weapons, ensuring public safety and compliance with firearm laws.
Source - The Herald
