Vanderbijlpark, South Africa – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced a large-scale destruction of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition in Vanderbijlpark.
The operation, set to take place this morning, will see the disposal of over 18,000 firearms that have been either forfeited to the State or voluntarily handed in by their owners.
The destruction process will be overseen by the District Commissioner of Sedibeng, Major General Nkhensani Lemba, who is joined by various senior members of the SAPS management.
This initiative is part of the SAPS’s ongoing efforts to ensure that firearms, especially those used in the commission of crimes, are removed from circulation.
Many of the firearms slated for destruction have been linked to serious offenses, including gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and cash-in-transit armed robberies, highlighting the critical need for such measures.
Before their destruction, all firearms were subjected to ballistic testing to determine if they were used in other serious crimes, ensuring a comprehensive approach to crime prevention and investigation.
Major General Nkhensani Lemba expressed the importance of the destruction process, stating, “This operation is a vital step towards reducing the availability of illegal firearms on the streets and, by extension, the rate of firearm-related crimes in South Africa.”
The SAPS initiative has been met with support from various sectors, emphasizing the necessity of removing potential tools of violence from the community.
As the country grapples with high rates of violent crime, actions such as these are seen as crucial in the fight against criminal activities that threaten the safety and security of its citizens.
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