Johannesburg – Thousands of illegal firearms were destroyed on Wednesday in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal.

“A total of 17 746 firearms including pistols, revolvers, rifles, AK 47s, shotguns and home-made firearms were destroyed,” said police spokesperson Vincent Mdunge in a statement released after the event.

The SA Police Service (SAPS) held the 24th Destruction of Firearms, which was attended by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, his deputy Makhotso Sotyu, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega, and provincial commissioners.

Most of the destroyed guns were used during serious and violent crimes.

“Fifteen of [the guns] were handed in during an amnesty campaign, 474 were voluntarily handed over and 17 257 were seized during police operations,” Mdunge said.

The police would use all its resources to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms in society.

“[Most of the] firearms were lost negligently by licensed firearm owners, robbed from licensed firearm owners, robbed from members of SAPS and robbed from security firm personnel.”

– SAPA