Mapula Sibanda
THE 330 guns handed in during the Gun-Free South Africa Campaign represent a drop in the ocean in relation to the 3,25-million arms owned by South Africans.
According to South African Police Services representative Major Sally de Beer, almost two million South Africans are registered licence holders, some owning more than one gun. This does not take into account illegal weapons.
Led by religious leaders, the December 16 campaign was intended to spark debate, to conscientise children and to collect as many weapons — legal and illegal — as possible. All firearms collected will be melted down.
“We were particularly successful with the children’s campaign,” said campaign chairman Bishop Peter Storey. “Thousands of toy guns were collected, and each child was awarded a certificate from the president.” But the campaign’s main objective received a poor response.
“We would have liked to have had more guns handed in,” said Storey. Storey stressed it was a long-term campaign. “We are dealing with a deeply en-trenched culture which has never been challenged. The fact that it is now being challenged indicated the campaign has made an important mark.”