PROGRAMME OF IMPLEMENTATION OF FIREARMS CONTROL ACT, 2000 (ACT. NO. 60 OF 2000), AND REGULATIONS

It has been decided to implement the Act in a phased manner.

The sections of the Act which deals with accreditation, will be put into operation on 1 July 2003. The draft Proclamation, Explanatory Memo and President’s Minute is already with the Presidency. The sections which will be put into operation on 1 July 2003, are;

section 1(i), (v), (ix), (x), (xi), (xvii), (xix), (xx), (xxi), (xxii), (xxiv), (xxv), (xxvi), (xxvii), (xxviii), (xxix), (xxxi), (xxxii), (xxxiv), sections 8, 95 (a)(vi), 115, 123, 124(2)(h), 124(3), 125(1)(g), 128, 129, 130, 131, 133(1)(d), (2), (3), (4), 141, 143, 144, 145 (1)(a), (k), (l), (n), 145(2), 151 and 152.

The final draft Regulations relating to accreditation are presented on 23 June 2003, to the Portfolio Committee for Safety and Security. If approved, it will be submitted to the Minister for Safety and Security, and if signed, submitted to the Government Printer, for publication.

The draft Regulations pertaining to accreditation will come into effect on 1 July 2003.

The putting into operation of the above provisions, as well as the Regulations published on 1 July 2003, will enable the accreditation processes to start.

In the meantime, the outstanding Regulations will be finalized and submitted to the Portfolio Committee for Safety and Security directly after the recess of Parliament (August 2003).

It is proposed that the remaining part of the Act be put into operation on 2003-10-30, together with the Proclamation of the outstanding Regulations.

The draft Bill can be considered as early as possible, after the recess, and the Department will give a detailed briefing to the Committee, on a date to be determined by the Committee.

If the Bill can be finalized in time, before 30 October 2003, it will facilitate the process of drafting of the regulations.

Once section 153 of the Act is put into operation, it will repeal the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (30 October 2003).

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