Speaking to the National Press Club in Pretoria early in November, Mthethwa acknowledged long-standing problems with licensing and relicensing of privately-owned firearms, and invited private firearms owners’ representative organisations to advise the police on how to remedy the problems.
“We’re heartened by this new open and frank approach,” said SA Gunowners’ Association (SAGA) spokesperson Martin Hood, adding that they would continue to press for sensible and practical amendments to the Firearms Controls Act (FCA) of 2000.
The National Confederation of Hunters Associations of SA (CHASA) said they regarded the department’s “unqualified admittance” that there are problems as “a breath of fresh air”. They said further statements, “which indicate a set of strong interventions to rectify matters listing specific practical solutions,” make this “more than a broad policy statement” but an “action-orientated, pragmatic approach.” However, the more outspoken Gun Owners SA (GOSA) organisation said it didn’t trust Mthethwa’s latest promise.
“Billions have been poured into the black hole that is the CFR, with no visible impact on crime – inconceivable, given that the FCA is still touted as a crime-fighting measure,” said the organisation, pointing to a five-year backlog in gun licence renewals and a three-year backlog in new licence applications.
“The minister isn’t going to scrap relicensing. He isn’t going to scrap renewals. He still thinks that with a few minor tweaks, the CFR can implement the FCA properly and efficiently.” GOSA called on Mthethwa to release the full report compiled by the Civilian Secretariat of Police into CFR and FCA failures.
SAGA and CHASA both expressed hope that Mthethwa was coming round to their points of view that legal and responsible private gun owners shouldn’t be considered a threat to South Africa’s safety and security.
Mthethwa’s spokesperson Zweli Mnisi admitted to Farmer’s Weekly that many problems resulting in extended delays in getting guns licensed were down to ineptitude and sometimes blatant corruption, saying they have evidence of “inappropriate activities”.
These cases are being investigated, he added. “We don’t want to just pay lip service to an investigation.”
SA Police Service (SAPS) members found guilty of a serious offence in the licensing process must go to jail, he said.“The long backlog in the firearms licensing process has become a big embarrassment to us.
We must fix this problem.”Mnisi said no SAPS member had yet been suspended or fired as a result of the investigations he mentioned, as the SAPS first wanted to ensure that all the necessary evidence is in place before charging anyone.
