Minister of Home Affairs, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, has called on members of the public to surrender illicit and unwanted firearms, ammunition and related materials at police stations countrywide without any fear of prosecution.

Kawana made the call on Thursday at an occasion to mark the country’s commemoration of African Amnesty month.

In 2020, Cabinet endorsed the month of September as Amnesty Month to surrender weapons, ammunitions and armaments without any fear of prosecution for two years.

“Africa must seek to put an end to all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts and genocide to fulfil the objectives of Agenda 2063,” Kawana said in a statement.

He reiterated that the government remains focused, resolute and committed to the implementation of the decision of the 14th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on “Silencing of Guns in Africa”.

Last year, Namibia undertook a process led by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to ensure its full implementation.

During that period, about 570 firearms and 24 334 rounds of ammunition were surrendered countrywide.

Kawana’s call was echoed by the Namibian Police Force’s Head of Firearms Control Division, Deputy Commissioner Josia Shikongo, who called upon the public to once again participate in this rare opportunity, which is granted to them by the government from 01 to 30 September 2022, to surrender all illicit and unwanted firearms, ammunition and related materials.

“You can surrender the illicit and unwanted firearms, ammunition and related materials at any nearest police station countrywide,” Shikongo said.

In 2020, an Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of the Heads of State and Government was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, which recommitted the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps for Silencing of Guns in Africa by the year 2020, through the extension of the African Amnesty.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency