Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, has announced that 570 illegal firearms were surrendered to the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) by members of the public during amnesty month in September.
Kawana made the announcement on Tuesday during a media briefing that took place at the NamPol headquarters in the capital.
September was declared amnesty month, when all persons in Namibia who were in possession of illegal weapons and ammunition, could surrender these to the authorities without fear of prosecution.
During the media briefing, Kawana said the amnesty period expired on 01 October 2021 and those who did not surrender their illegal firearms and ammunition, will henceforth be prosecuted.
He added that all peace-loving Namibians should come forward and inform the relevant authorities of those who are still in possession of illegal weapons and ammunition so that the law can take its course.
The highest number of firearms and pieces of ammunition were surrendered in the Omusati Region, where 135 firearms and 2 635 pieces of ammunition were handed over to the police.
The lowest number was handed over in the Zambezi Region, where only two firearms were surrendered.
Speaking at the same occasion, NamPol Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga, said the next amnesty period will take place in September 2022, adding that he believes that there are still members of the public who are in possession of illegal firearms.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
