Central firearms register at Police worrying

 "The submission by the Police at the portfolio committee of Police in Parliament about the Central Firearms Registry Office (CFR) indicates a lack of control and is worrying. In the submission the Police indicated that there isn't proper control over firearms which are handed in to the Designated Firearm Officers (DFO) at police stations, documents of renewal of firearm licences get lost because they are not logged in on a computer system, a shortage of personnel to do inspections and incompetent AFB's. These defects create a breeding ground for crime and the CFR is letting the public down," Dr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Police for the Freedom Front Plus said.

"The minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, said last week that there are too many firearms in South Africa which promote violent crime. The minister is mistaken and it isn't legal firearms that are the problem, but his own department's poor control over firearms and licences. Just more than R400 million has been spent on the computer system, but it is still not functioning properly. The minister owes legal firearm owners an apology and an explanation to the public," Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson: Police, August 20 2014

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