BY Obakeng Maje

South African Police Service in the North West Province marked yet another milestone in history in the fight against crime in Brits police said.

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  destructed 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 destructed by the police” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

“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” he said.

No matter how few firearms are recovered from the hands of criminals,police will continue to make it their business to make criminals feel uncomfortable wherever they go”, 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 all of us take part in ensuring that the creation of a safer environment for all inhabitants of this country exist”, van Schalkwyk.

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