More than 1680 firearms in the Free State which were handed to police or forfeited to the state will be destroyed on Friday, a local police spokesman said.Director Solly Lesia said on Thursday the firearms included pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and home-made guns.
"The total number of firearms we have so far destroyed in the Free State, since the destruction of small arms started in 2003, amounts to 13,361, excluding those that will be destroyed tomorrow (Friday)."
The weapons would be melted down at a former Iscor smelter in Vereeniging, to ensure they never came into circulation again.
Violent crimes involving firearms were a daily occurrence in the Free State, he said.
Referring to a shootout between police and suspected robbers, in which a policeman and robber were wounded, in Phahameng earlier this week, Lesia said the suspects were in possession of illegal firearms.
"One can only suspect that they were acquired in an unfriendly manner," he added.
Source : Sapa /ag/th
Date : 11 Jun 2009 16:47
