ATC19107: Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Declaration of Amnesty in terms of section 139(2)(a) of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), dated 7 November 2019.

NCOP Security and Justice

Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Declaration of Amnesty in terms of section 139(2)(a) of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), dated 7 November 2019.

The Select Committee on Security and Justice, having considered the Declaration of Amnesty in terms of section 139(2)(a) of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) referred to the Select Committee on 29 August 2019, reports as follows:

The Select Committee met on 11 September 2019 and received a briefing from the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the amnesty.  The Select Committee raised a number of concerns related to the safe keeping of surrendered firearms and ammunition, police procedure to destroy surrendered firearms and ammunition as well as concerns with the process for citizens in legal possession of licences that expired. The Select Committee requested the SAPS to reply to the matters raised.

The Select Committee met on 30 October 2019 and received a briefing from the SAPS on the outstanding matters.

 

Committee decision

The Select Committee, after due consideration, approved the Minister’s request for an amnesty period. The Select Committee amended the proposed amnesty period from 1 October 2019 to 31 March 2020 to 1 December 2019 to 31 May 2020 and recommends the National Council of Provinces approve the amnesty period as amended.

 

The Committee also requested the Minister of Police to consider declaring a separate process for the renewal of expired licences that should run concurrently to the amnesty period.

 

Report to be considered.