Police: Melted firearms will not make it back onto black market
Police destroyed more than 20 000 firearms at Arcelor Mittal Steel in Vereeniging, south of Johannesburg, on Tuesday.
Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale and National Police Commissioner Khehla Sithole were there to oversee the process.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says it's important to root out illegal firearms so they don't make their way back to the black market.
"They have today destroyed about 23 055 firearms that were either confiscated by or surrendered to the state.
"The proliferation of illegal firearms has therefore been dealt a decisive blow as half the destroyed firearms were confiscated by police during intelligence operations, routine stop and searches as well as tip off."
Earlier in the year, at least 30 000 other illegal firearms were destroyed.
"Melting these firearms therefore ensures that they will never find their way back in circulation.
"They pose a threat to the safety and security to the inhabitants of this country."
Listen below:
#sapsHQ DM of Police, Mr Mathale and #SAPSNPC, Gen Sitole have today destroyed over 23 000 firearms which were either confiscated by or surrendered to the State. The last #GunDestruction took place on 17/04 where over 30 000 firearms were destructed. MEhttps://t.co/YJQZfLWBcN pic.twitter.com/CKyxuSTpjX
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) November 5, 2019
#sapsHQ #SAPS is committed on ensuring that all people of South Africa enjoy safe and secure environment by cleaning up all illegal firearms from the streets. TM #GunsDestruction #TurningTheTideAgainstCrime pic.twitter.com/dAFL6anzKJ
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) November 5, 2019