The son of former president PW Botha, Piet, has denied saying he would leave South Africa as a result of the new Firearms Control Act.
”What I did say was that I would consider leaving South Africa if I am forced to give up my means to personal self-defence,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
A London newspaper on Monday quoted Botha as saying: ”If I’m forced to give up my guns here I’ll emigrate”.
The South African press apparently reinterpreted this as ”because I’m forced to hand in my firearms I will leave”.
Botha took exception to this version, saying it was an ”unfortunate distortion of the facts”.
”The London article is acceptable,” he added.
According to the article, Botha and his wife carry .40 Smith & Wessons.
In the article he explained that his wife had to drive past three squatter camps on her way to work.
Botha said on Tuesday it was far too early to predict the outcome of the implementation of the new law.
”The implementation of this Act has only commenced this year and its full impact is still unclear. I furthermore wish to reiterate that I will obey the new Act explicitly.”
The new law is an attempt by government to limit gun ownership. – Sapa