Zimbabwe offers amnesty for illegal firearms

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a fresh firearms amnesty in an effort to curb the escalating gun crime in the country.

The amnesty, which runs from September 1 to 30, allows individuals and institutions possessing illegal firearms and ammunition to surrender them without facing prosecution.

ZRP national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, urged the public to take advantage of this opportunity to avoid potential arrest. The amnesty also extends to licensed firearm holders who have not renewed their certificates or notified authorities of changes in their addresses.

The amnesty is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the proliferation of illegal weapons, which have been used in various criminal activities, including armed robberies.

"Police have noted that some members of the public are in possession of firearms and ammunition yet are not licensed or authorized to have such weapons," Nyathi said in a statement. "This has led to the abuse of firearms in the country, in clear violation of the provisions of the Firearms Act."

The call to surrender firearms is directed at various groups, including companies that have ceased operations, farmers, miners, hunters, and individuals who no longer need a firearm license.

Nyathi also urged the relatives of deceased firearm license holders to surrender any firearms in their possession without proper authorization.

He noted that unregistered firearms obtained through smuggling, among other means, should be surrendered to the State for destruction or registration.