January 16, 2003
By Tendai Dhliwayo
IN response to a call by National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, to make January a "Firearm Free Month", about 20 police officers from Johannesburg Central, assisted by three volunteers, braved the scorching heat to educate the public about firearms.
On Thursday morning, the officers gathered at the Park City taxi rank in the city centre, to distribute pamphlets to taxi drivers and members of the public. "We are identifying places where people are usually victims of firearm related crimes like taxi violence," said Johannesburg central police communications officer, Captain Koena Moichela.
He said taxi ranks have been chosen because some taxi drivers are in the habit of carrying firearms. The rest of January will be use to visit other taxi ranks around the city to educate and distribute more pamphlets.
According to Moichela, the exercise is meant to educate people about the safekeeping of firearms. He added that besides taxi ranks, education will also be extended to schools, and roadblocks will be mounted to pass on the message to motorists. Shopping malls like the Oriental Plaza will further be visited during this "Firearm Free Month".
During the course of the month, says Moichela, officers will talk to learners about the dangers posed by firearms and other dangerous weapons like knives. "We are trying to discourage kids from taking firearms belonging to their parents," he added.
Part of the day's exercise included raising awareness about the existence of a firearms registration centre at Johannesburg Central police station. And people were informed about section 11 of the Arms and Ammunition Act (75 of 1969). It stipulates that if one misuses a firearm, it will be taken and a hearing will follow to ascertain if that person is fit to possess a gun. The firearm will be taken and its licence cancelled if it is proven that one is unfit to have a gun.
Moichela described today's mission as successful. "Taxi people co-operated and are happy about what we are doing. This also forms part of our visible policing."
"We want to start the year on a serious note and try to minimise firearm-related crimes," he said.
