Gunfree SA calls on govt help reduce demand for illegal firearms in the streets
The organisation said police must make it their daily task to go into the communities to search for suspects who are believed to be in possession of unlicensed firearms.
Some of the illegal guns and ammunition seized by police from three suspects. Picture: @SAPoliceService/X
CAPE TOWN - Firearms advocacy group Gunfree South Africa is calling on the government to create conditions to reduce demand for illegal firearms in the streets.
This comes after eight people were shot and killed in the Harare section of Khayelitsha on Wednesday.
The organisation said police must make it their daily task to go into the communities to search for suspects who are believed to be in possession of unlicensed firearms.
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According to Gunfree SA, about 24 guns are lost every day in South Africa to the wrong hands.
"We know that in most crimes committed with guns, these guns are illegal. But all guns start their life as a legal entity. The single biggest source of illegal guns are legal guns, and these are guns held by the police, by private security, as well as civilians," said Gunfree SA director Adele Kistern.
Kistern added that effective policing and removal of illegal guns in the streets its not new.
"The task of the police is to secure their stock. There's a range of standard operating procedures where we are part of big protocols globally that are very clear on how you secure your stock. What is going on is that we can't do what we did 20 to 30 years ago."