Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
7 February 2023 / 10:38 am CAT

Photo: Gun Free South Africa

The latest gun massacres in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal will not be the last if the government again makes empty promises of action.

These promises were made in July last year when 21 people were shot and killed and 20 injured in 3 separate shootings at taverns in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The government responded by deploying Crime Intelligence, forensic experts, and tactical and organised crime units to track the perpetrators and hold them responsible.

Police Minister Bheki Cele promised that police would find the perpetrators. Recently, ten people were killed in two incidents of gun massacres in the Eastern Cape. The victims include a grandmother and a child.

Speaking on the latest developments with Radio Islam International, and Gun Free SA, Claire Taylor analyses the government’s response as empty promises.

Taylor added there had been more killings within the past three days, eight people were killed at a birthday party within the Eastern Cape, and another mass shooting in Kwamashu hostel killed four people and injured five others.

According to Gun Free South Africa, the government needs to develop a strategy and a plan to deal with the guns in our communities that are being used in shootings in South Africa.

Taylor said there had been arrests of people. However, there has been no focus on the recovery of guns.

Gun Free South Africa has identified immediate actions urging the government to take.

“Government needs to develop a focused specialised firearms unit that will be responsible for recovering and destroying legal and illegal guns as well as ammunition. And focus on tightening controls over licensed guns and stops them from leaking into communities,” said Taylor.

Listen to Radio Islam’s podcast on Your World Today with Presenter Mufti Yusuf Moosagie Gun Free SA’s, Claire Taylor.