The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has expressed concern over the failure by citizens to take advantage of the African Union Firearm Surrender Amnesty Month, which ran throughout September. The amnesty offered individuals an opportunity to hand over illegal weapons without facing legal consequences. However, the month ended with the police expressing disappointment that those in possession of illegal weapons had failed to make use of the opportunity.
According to National Commissioner of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, the incidents recorded during the period included six armed robberies and five attempted murders, highlighting the continued use of illegal firearms in violent crime. The police also reported that three men were arrested in separate operations during the month. One was arrested for allegedly possessing an illegal firearm, while two others were arrested for possessing live ammunition.
The armed robberies were distributed across regions, with two incidents each recorded in Hhohho, Shiselweni, and Manzini regions. All five attempted murders were recorded in the Shiselweni Region. Masango said the continued occurrence of firearm-related incidents during the amnesty period demonstrated the seriousness of the problem. He noted that illegal firearms were still being used to commit violent crimes, including armed robberies, attempted murders, and murders.
The police have called on citizens to work with law enforcement agencies by reporting illegal firearms, as efforts to combat armed crime continue. Masango reiterated the police service's commitment to recovering illegal weapons and ensuring that they did not remain in the wrong hands. He assured the public that anyone reporting the possession of illegal firearms would have their identity protected, with anonymity guaranteed.
The amnesty was intended to reduce the number of illegal firearms circulating in communities and prevent their use in violent crimes. The police announced the amnesty at the beginning of September, giving people in possession of illegal firearms an opportunity to surrender them as an act of clemency, without facing prosecution or other legal consequences.
The REPS has urged citizens to report any information about illegal firearms in their communities. The police service is working to address the issue of illegal firearms, which contribute to violent crimes in the country. The public is encouraged to cooperate with the police to ensure that communities are safe.
The incidents recorded during the amnesty period have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the amnesty in reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation. The police will continue to work to recover illegal weapons and bring those responsible for crimes to justice.
Key points
- The Royal Eswatini Police Service recorded 14 incidents involving illegal firearms during the African Union Firearm Surrender Amnesty Month in September.
- The incidents included six armed robberies and five attempted murders, highlighting the continued use of illegal firearms in violent crime.
- The police have called on citizens to report any information about illegal firearms in their communities to help combat armed crime.
