Gun Free SA aims to hold SAPS, judiciary accountable for not removing domestic violence perpetrators’ firearms
Gun Free South Africa on Wednesday said both police and the judiciary played a role in removing guns from cases involving domestic violence.
FILE: A girl, 16, was killed in front of the Belgravia High School in Athlone after being caught in the crossfire in a shootout between rival gangs.Picture: Pexels
CAPE TOWN - Gun Free South Africa said it aims to hold the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the judiciary accountable for failing to remove guns from domestic violence perpetrators.
Speaking at the launch of the NGO's 'Removing the Trigger' campaign on Wednesday, Gun Free South Africa director, Adele Kirsten, said that both the police and the judiciary played a role.
Kirsten said four women were killed in gun-related incidents in South Africa every day.
She said South Africa was also one of five countries with the highest femicide rate in the world.
In a bid to remove guns from domestic violence perpetrators, Gun Free South Africa now aims to work together with SAPS and the judiciary.
"What are the current gaps in our policy and regulation around the duty and responsibility of both the courts to order guns to be removed and the police to comply with that order."
Kirsten said Gun Free South Africa was aware that the courts often neglected to order firearms to be confiscated in cases of domestic violence.