North West police destroys 1136 illegal firearms
On 14 March 2013, the South African Police Service in the North West Province marked yet another milestone in history in the fight against crime in Brits. On behalf of the North West Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General William Mpembe, the Provincial Commander for Firearms, Liquor and Second-hand goods, Colonel Hendrik Van Schalkwyk destroyed 1136 firearms confiscated by the police. 781 Firearms were surrendered voluntarily by the community while 355 were confiscated by the police during crime combating operations. During the last firearms destruction, in June 2012, 956 firearms were destroyed by the police.
“This is a very significant event in which we are dealing with the proliferation of illicit firearms in our country as guided by the Firearms Control Act. Indeed the number is just a drop in the ocean but to us it is critically important that at least we are still making enroots in terms of addressing firearms related crimes. No matter how few firearms are recovered from the hands of criminals, as the police we will continue to make it our business to make criminals fill uncomfortable wherever they are”, said Colonel Van Schalkwyk.
As guided by the Firearms Control Act, the police will vigorously address firearm related crimes by removing illegally possessed firearms from the society and ensure effective control over firearms owned legally by individuals and Government. “As the South African Police Service, in our endeavours to fight crime, we have always pleaded with the community to join in the fight against crime, because we are taking crime prevention as everybody’s business and it is important that everybody plays his or her part to contribute in ensuring the creation of a safe environment for all inhabitants of this country” van Schalkwyk said.
Let us make Rustenburg and South Africa a safer place. Report any illegal firearms that you may know of. So much crime can be stopped and prevented if we start to stand up for what is right. You have the power to change Rustenburg and South Africa.