AfriForum welcomes the directive by Lt Gen Moeketsi David Sempe on 7 May 2020 that confirms, among others, that firearm licencing is now allowed and that police offices must accept renewal applications of firearm licences and competency certificates. This directive also confirms the Minister of Police’s letter of 22 April 2020 to AfriForum’s legal team that firearm owners whose 90 day period to renew their firearm licence was affected by level 5 of the nationwide lockdown – which ended on 1 May 2020 – will still be accepted.
The directive furthermore confirms that firearm owners can now once again make use of the amnesty period which ends on 31 May 2020. Lastly the directive also confirms that the Minister of Police is strongly considering approaching parliament for an extension of the mentioned amnesty period.
This follows after AfriForum’s legal team on 25 March 2020 directed a letter to Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, as well as Khehla Sithole, National Police Commissioner. In the letter AfriForum expressed its concern, among others, that firearm owners’ ability to renew their firearm licences on time will be affected negatively due to the nationwide lockdown.
“The directive formally confirms that law-abiding firearm owners can now renew their licences in the prescribed manner and will not be disadvantaged as a result of the lockdown period. AfriForum will monitor if the stations comply with the directive and will continue fighting to protect the rights of lawful, responsible firearm owners,” says Marnus Kamfer, AfriForum’s Law and Risk Manager for community safety.