South Africans will have four months to hand in illegal firearms under an amnesty in 2010, the Police Ministry said on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said the amnesty would extend from January 11 until April 11 next year.
The proposal for the amnesty by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was passed by Parliament on Tuesday.
"The amnesty provides for a procedure whereby a firearm, be it legal or illegal, may be surrendered at any local police station without fear of being prosecuted," said Mnisi.
Mnisi said there was a large pool of illegal firearms in circulation around the country and these weapons were a major contributor to the high rate of serious and violent crime in the
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country.
"Most robberies are committed with firearms, whilst a large portion of the reported murder cases are committed by people using illegal firearms," said Mnisi.
"The reduction of the number of firearms in circulation is an important part of the South African Police Service's strategy to combat violent crime."
Mnisi said the weapons would be collected and destroyed, following a process prescribed by the firearms control regulations.
Mnisi said illegal firearms may be handed to any member of the SAPS on duty at any police station. The member must then issue a receipt for the weapon and ammunition received.
This process would not include persons who wish to voluntarily surrender licensed firearms as this process followed different procedures.
Mnisi said the last amnesty - during the year 2004/2005 - was an unqualified success. - Sapa
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