Africa-Press – Namibia. The Namibian Police destroyed 5 532 firearms and close to 210 000 rounds of ammunition at the Namibian Defence Force shooting range near Walvis Bay on Saturday.
The event coincided with International Small Arms Destruction Day, which is marked worldwide on 9 July.
The date was initiated by the United Nations in 2001 to remind nations of the threat that the illicit traffic of small arms and light weapons pose to peace and security.
Namibia last held a firearms destruction activity in 2007, when more than 9 000 firearms were destroyed.
The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana, explained that the destroyed items were mainly court exhibits.
These, he said, were confiscated from criminals who took part in crimes like armed robberies.
“In addition, the firearms, ammunition and related materials include those which were surrendered during the amnesty month that was declared last year,” Kawana said.
He expressed gratitude to members of the public who voluntarily surrendered firearms, ammunition and related materials to the police.
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