Petronella Sibeene
3 October 2008
Windhoek — Minister of Safety and Security, Dr Nickey Iyambo, has said there are too many guns in society with the Namibian Police receiving not less than 500 gun licence applications every month.
Chief of Police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, confirmed to New Era yesterday that over 500 applications for gun licences are received from the public and some of the applicants already own more than two guns.
"In a country where there is peace, why do we need firearm in the hands of citizens?" the minister asked.
He added that the Government will have to come up with drastic steps towards gun ownership in Namibia.
Iyambo said this during his familiarisation tour at Windhoek Police Station where among other places he visited a section where confiscated guns are kept.
Namibia through the use of both licensed and unlicensed firearms is experiencing an upsurge in passion killings, murders, carjackings and robberies.
Ndeitunga said the public should guard against the use of weapons that according to him disturb peace in the country.
He added that the use of not only guns but also knives and pangas is becoming common especially in the Khomas Region.
"I appeal to the public that there is no need to carry weapons. Cases of knifings are quiet high especially in the Khomas Region," emphasised Ndeitunga, though he could not provide figures.
Khomas Regional Commander Samuel //Hoebeb told New Era that enforcement agencies are forced to carry out search operations even at schools as learners tend to carry dangerous weapons.
He added that during school events especially those held on Friday evenings, some learners carry knives that are used on other learners should a quarrel erupt.
Statistics from the Ministry of Safety and Security show that over a period of eight years (1998-2006), more than 32600 firearms cases, ranging from murder and attempted murder to pointing firearms were reported.
During the same period, 117204 firearms licences were issued to private owners, businesses, security companies and embassies.
Early this year, a consultative workshop on the review of the Arms and Ammunition Act 1996 (Act of 1996) and the sustainable implementation of the small arms and light weapons national action plan was held in the capital.
The workshop, aimed at soliciting expert opinion from participants to finalise the review of the legislation in compliance with international standards.
The Ministry of Safety and Security at the workshop suggested that the country prohibits both the sale and licensing of all assault weapons and also grant amnesty to people in possession of illegal firearms for them to surrender their guns.
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