Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security declared September 2024 as an amnesty month during which all citizens are urged to surrender illegal and unwanted arms, ammunition, and armaments without facing prosecution.
The initiative, themed “Together for a Peaceful Future: Surrender Your Arms Today”, is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of armed violence in the country and it was launched by home affairs minister, Dr Albert Kawana.
In a statement on Tuesday Kawana said that the amnesty that will be subject to the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1996, provides a rare opportunity for individuals to hand over firearms, ammunition, and armaments at their nearest police stations without fear of legal consequences.
“The amnesty for illegal arms is a vital step in ensuring a peaceful environment by removing potentially dangerous items from circulation,” Kawana said.
He added that those people who fail to comply by the end of the amnesty period on September 30, 2024, will face prosecution if found in possession of illegal arms.
Over the past three years, similar amnesty campaigns in Namibia have seen varying levels of success.
Kawana said that in 2021, 116 firearms and over 3 500 rounds of ammunition were surrendered, while 2022 saw a significant increase with 1 293 firearms and 2 619 rounds of ammunition handed over.
By 2023, the numbers decreased to 159 firearms and 2 591 rounds of ammunition.
“These surrendered items were subsequently destroyed during the International Small Arms Destruction Day, which is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to disarmament and public safety,” the minister said.
Namibia has conducted several successful armament amnesty campaigns over the years.
According to Kawana, previous initiatives were part of broader regional efforts under the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” project, aimed at reducing the proliferation of illegal arms across the continent.
“These campaigns have contributed significantly to lowering the number of unregistered firearms and have helped create a more secure environment across Namibia,” he said.
The campaign, which will be managed by the Namibian Police, encourages all citizens to participate actively in this initiative while the September 2024 Amnesty Month is still available.
“By surrendering illegal weapons voluntarily, every Namibian can play an important role in promoting peace and security in their communities, ensuring a safer future for all,” Kawana said.
