Cape Town - Facts, figures and the implementation of the Firearms Control Act (FCA) marked the start of the second day of the National Firearms Summit at the Portfolio Committee of Police’s sitting in Parliament on Wednesday.
“This is a journey. Our legislation has got to be responsive and relevant,” National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, said, addressing the summit.
Phiyega gave the committee and attendees details on matters such as the implementation of the FCA, training of Designated Firearms Officers (DFOs), amnesty declarations, current plans, and challenges faced.
“The FCA was developed to reduce firearm-related crime, to effectively control all legally possessed firearms, to prevent proliferation of illegally possessed firearms and to maintain a reliable firearms control and management system,” said Phiyega.
A once-off budget of approximately R63 million was granted to implement the FCA but no further budget was given for maintenance issues, adding to challenges already faced by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The budget was divided between acquiring resources such as new SAPS vehicles, computer equipment, and training of DFOs.
By 2015, over 3000 SAPS members were trained as DFOs since the inception of the FCA in 2004.
In 2005 and 2010, amnesty was declared by the Minister of Safety and Security and by the Minister of Police, respectively. Following both amnesty declarations, a total of 44 958 firearms were handed over.
“I think there is room and time to consider another amnesty period,” said Phiyega, suggesting the Minister of Police look into it.
SAPS FCA future plans included a public education drive, the review of firearms application processes and procedures, and the upgrading of the enhanced firearm registration system.
Phiyega concluded, stating the challenges faced by the SAPS in terms of the FCA included, “inadequate facilities and accommodation for related personnel, the incomplete implementation of the Firearms Control System, and the inability of the DFO to assess the mental and physical state of applicants”.
African News Agency