ANC STATEMENT ON THE ILLEGAL GUN OWNERSHIP CAMPAIGN
30 October 2014
In the last eleven days we have witnessed shocking incidents of crime targeting high profile individuals who found themselves at the wrong end of the barrels of illegal fire-arms. These are a Parliamentarian, Mr Jackson Mthembu and Soccerite, Senzo Meyiwa, both prominent figures in our country. What they had to contend with was the manifestation of what many innocent citizens of our country have to contend with in dealing with marauding gun toting criminals who have no regard for human life. The untimely death of Senzo Meyiwa underscored how cheap human life has become in the hands of those who are hell-bent on undermining the security and wellbeing of our people.
The tragic killing of Senzo Meyiwa, who was at the prime of his life and inspired many young South Africans, was not only a loss to his family but the entire sporting fraternity and the country. We once more convey our deep condolences to his family and the soccer fraternity. His death has shocked the nation and the world and has undermined our national pride.
The ANC calls for the total removal of illegal guns from society as these have proved to be a menace. The time has come for us as a nation to review existing gun control measures with a view to limiting access to guns that end in wrong hands. These are costly in terms of injuries whose treatment is exorbitant, loss of human life and emotional cost it comes with. In this regard, we concur and support fully the view of the South African Football Association, which amongst others calls for the reigning in on illegal gun ownership in our country.
We also call on the judiciary to show no mercy for those in possession of illegal guns and those who are guilty of negligence. Maximum sentences should be imposed as a deterrent against those in possession and those who use these guns to mow down other human beings. We need to stop the bleeding of our nation in the hands of ruthless gun toting criminals.
A climate of intolerance against any form of criminality must be ingrained amongst our communities. We must not tolerate individuals who terrorise and take innocent lives and still find a hiding place in the same society. Let us identify and isolate such callous thugs and report them to law enforcement agencies. We commend the police for extra-ordinary measures they undertake to apprehend such culprits however with varying success.
In honouring those who have been victims of illegal guns, let us revive crime fighting structures in our communities in support of law enforcement agencies. The ANC believes in the sanctity of life and the need to prevent unnecessary death. Even one death is one too many. Let us join hands in fighting crime and those behind it. Let us act jointly to preserve life!
Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC National Spokesperson, October 30 2014
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