Gun Free South Africa, a firearms advocacy group, has issued a strong call for immediate government intervention to recover and destroy illegal firearms within the country, this urgent plea comes as the latest crime statistics reveal a staggering 35% increase in murders during the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year.
According to Claire Taylor, a representative of Gun Free South Africa, these alarming figures serve as undeniable evidence that gun-related crime has reached pandemic proportions. She highlights the shocking reality that an average of 31 individuals are shot and killed every day in South Africa, a significant rise from the previous financial year’s figure of 23.
Taylor emphasizes that the majority of gun crimes are committed using illegal firearms, raising questions about the efforts made to retrieve these weapons and their accompanying ammunition.
The situation in South Africa demands immediate action from the government to address the proliferation of illegal guns and combat the surging gun-related crime rates.
Gun Free South Africa’s plea highlights the critical need for enhanced efforts in recovering illicit firearms, coupled with their proper disposal.