JOHANNESBURG, July 9 (Xinhua) -- South African police destroyed 11,859 firearms and firearm parts on Thursday as part of efforts to prevent them from being used in criminal activities.
The firearms, including 9,596 handguns, 1,102 rifles, 798 shotguns, 33 combination firearms and 330 firearm parts, were melted down at a destruction facility in Johannesburg.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), most of the firearms were confiscated during police operations, while others were surrendered during firearm amnesty periods.
"Firearms are destroying our families and our communities. Today's destruction demonstrates the government's commitment to detecting and permanently removing illegal firearms and ammunition from our country," Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo said, noting that destroying confiscated firearms ensures they never re-enter circulation and contributes to efforts to reduce violent crime.
According to the SAPS, all recovered firearms undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in other crimes before being destroyed, including those surrendered during amnesty periods. Over the past seven years, police have destroyed 317,811 firearms.
July 9 marks the International Day of the Destruction of Small Arms, an annual United Nations initiative aimed at promoting the destruction of illicit firearms.
