Zimbabwe grants amnesty until 12 November for illegal firearms
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Ang
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched a national campaign urging holders of illegal firearms and ammunition to hand them in at police stations, with an amnesty protecting them from prosecution until 12 November. National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the operation also aims to improve compliance with rules on firearm possession and storage, according to local media.
Zimbabwe has launched a voluntary surrender campaign for illegally held firearms and ammunition, accompanied by a judicial amnesty until 12 November, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced. Individuals and institutions can hand in the weapons at their nearest police station without facing prosecution during this period, according to local media cited on Tuesday by the ANG news agency.
Those who surrender their weapons will receive an official receipt confirming their deposit and safe storage. National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the operation also aims to enforce rules on the possession and storage of firearms. Irregularities include permits that have not been renewed, ownership registers that have not been updated, and weapons kept after the circumstances that justified their acquisition no longer apply.
After 12 November, the authorities plan to carry out checks to identify holders who have not regularised their situation. The campaign comes amid concerns about the use of illegal weapons in violent crimes, including armed robbery and homicide, and forms part of the Southern African Development Community protocol on the control of firearms and ammunition.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
