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MBABANE – Fourteen incidents involving illegal firearms were recorded in Eswatini during September, despite a month-long amnesty aimed at encouraging people in possession of illegal weapons to surrender them without fear of prosecution.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has expressed concern over the failure by emaSwati to take advantage of the African Union Firearm Surrender Amnesty Month, which ran throughout September and offered individuals an opportunity to hand over illegal weapons without facing legal consequences.
According to National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM), Manoma Vusie 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.
Of the six armed robberies, two each were recorded in Hhohho, Shiselweni and Manzini regions. All five attempted murders were recorded in the Shiselweni Region.
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.
At the beginning of September, the police announced the amnesty, giving people in possession of illegal firearms an opportunity to surrender them as an act of clemency, without facing prosecution or other 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.
In his statement, 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, with some incidents resulting in the loss of innocent lives.
Masango further 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 have called on emaSwati to work with law enforcement agencies by reporting illegal firearms, as efforts to combat armed crime continue.