Zimbabwe to conduct nationwide operation against illegal firearm holders to reduce crime

HARARE, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) announced on Friday that it will soon launch a nationwide operation to arrest holders of unregistered firearms, following a low response to a month-long amnesty that began on Sept. 1.

The amnesty allows individuals to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition without fear of arrest.

However, only eight firearms had been turned in by Friday, prompting police spokesperson Paul Nyathi to issue a warning. "The police are concerned with reports of armed robberies throughout the country which show that unregistered firearms and ammunition are in the wrong hands. These are most likely being used to commit criminal acts," Nyathi said in a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The ZRP has been reporting an uptick in armed robberies across the country, involving homes, churches, businesses and highways. "We urge the public to take advantage of this opportunity to surrender firearms and ammunition voluntarily, without fear of questioning or arrest by the police," Nyathi said.

He also urged companies, farmers, miners, hunters, gun dealers, gun clubs and security firms which are no longer authorized to possess firearms to surrender them at their nearest police station. Additionally, licensed firearm holders were reminded to update their records and inform authorities of any changes in residential or business addresses.

Nyathi said that after the amnesty period ends, a nationwide operation will be conducted to crack down on illegal firearms, with arrests expected to follow. ■