Firearms: AfriForum submits commentary on and objections to proposed amendment bill

29 June 2021

AfriForum today submitted its commentary on and objections to the proposed amendment bill to existing firearm legislation.

The commentary was aimed at explaining the far-reaching effects of the amendment bill as well as to emphasise AfriForum’s rejection of the bill for amongst others the fact that it impinges on the constitutional rights of South Africans.

This follows after the Government Gazette of 21 May 2021 invited the public to submit commentary on the proposed amendments. Several organisations, associations and political parties expressed their dismay at the proposed amendments, while numerous petitions and commentary platforms saw the light.

The original closing date for commentary on the proposed amendments was 4 July 2021. A document from the offices of the State Attorney (dated 28 June 2021) that has come under AfriForum’s attention however confirmed that this period has been extended by an additional 21 days.

The embattled Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, is also being bombarded with criticism after the so-called Wits Report at last reached the public’s eye on 26 June 2021. The report is disastrous for Cele’s allegations that firearms need to get the blame for the high crime statistics. The report shows that the Firearms Controls Act 60 of 2000 is relevant in less than 5% of all complaints reported to the South African Police Service.

“AfriForum will, as agreed during a congress held on 10 June at AfriForum Teater, distribute the commentary to the 21 other organisations that attended the congress. The distribution of the commentary forms part of a decision taken at the congress during which the organisations agreed to share information with each other to jointly oppose the proposed amendments,” says Marnus Kamfer, Legal and Risk Manager at AfriForum Community Safety.

“Cele has saddled up a horse of a different colour, especially with the way this ill-considered and poorly researched proposed amendments are being driven. It feels good to cooperate with other sensible organisations and citizens to oppose these dangerous proposed amendments,” he concludes.

AfriForum will continue its extensive campaign to oppose the proposed amendments.

Statement issued by Marnus Kamfer, Legal and Risk Manager, AfriForum, 29 June 2021