Wezi Tjaronda
7 November 2008
Windhoek — The British government this week gave Namibia N$4,2 million to implement activities of the National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The money will be used to purchase a vehicle, office and computer equipment for the project support office, office equipment for regional focal points and the central firearm registry.
With the money, the action plan will also conduct an awareness raising campaign for the general public and school children and a TV documentary on small arms and light weapons and the impact of gun crime on those who survive it.
The activities of the focal point have lagged behind due to insufficient financial resources, according to Minister of Safety and Security Dr Nickey Iyambo. Iyambo was speaking this week when he received the money from the Department of International Development (DFID).
The money was released after the two governments signed a memorandum of understanding last month.
Iyambo said the funds came at time when Namibia was implementing the National Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which was approved by Cabinet in November 2004.
"This financial assistance is the first of its kind aimed at complementing the Government's efforts to implement the National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light Weapons to eradicate the illicit proliferation of firearms in the county," said Iyambo.
The British High Commissioner to Namibia, Mark Bensberg, said the UK's support was a commitment to make Namibia a safer place.
He said although some citizens depended on firearms for their livelihood, such as sportsmen and women, there was need to license and control weapons.
He noted with concern Namibian statistics which indicate that more that 7 000 firearm related offences were committed in 2007, which translates into an average of four offences a day. In the same year, 327 tragic murders were committed.
Amongst the progress that the national action plan has made is to review the Arms and Ammunition Act 7 of 1996, for it to conform to regionally and internationally agreed instruments that govern small arms and light weapons.
The plan has also crafted an instrument on Social Mobilisation and Communication Strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons, to be used an effective tool on a public education and awareness campaign.
Statistics from the ministry 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 licenses were issued to private owners, businesses, security companies and embassies.
About 500 applications for gun licences are received from the public and some of the applicants already own more than two guns, according to the police.
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