Windhoek
Farmers in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition are causing a national safety scare, says police chief Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga.
Ndeitunga says it is not only of concern to the police, but citizens alike are concerned about reports of people hiding arsenals of unlicensed firearms and discarded uniforms belonging to the former South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) and the feared Koevoet insurgency unit.
“What are their intentions? The era of armed conflict is gone and we altogether should pull in one direction, as in the new vocabulary of Harambee and make sure [there is] no more armed conflict in Namibia. Why should people have illegal firearms in Namibia, particularly machine guns, ammunition and uniforms?” he asked.
Ndeitunga’s comments come after three farmers from Otjozondjupa Region were arrested within a span of two months and charged with illegal possession of firearms.
“We urge any person, in particular the farmers, to surrender those weapons because it is problem. In this world today, you have issues of terrorism. These people can be easily used by terrorists to endanger the security of the country. It is a concern to us that there are people arrested with firearms, ammunition and even uniforms. What are their strategies?” he further asked.
He explained that according to the Arms and Ammunition Act, a person may not keep more than one firearm of the same caliber, although hunters and farmers are allowed to keep four different types of firearms.
He further said a person is also not allowed to keep more than 100 bullets per firearm. “The assault rifle is not allowed to be owned by an individual. It should only be owned by the Namibian Defence Force, the police and correctional services,” he remarked.
Ndeitunga said the police are also concerned about legal firearms being misused by certain individuals.
“We’ve realised that many people have legal firearms, but they were not supposed to have them because they are negligent in handling them or either misusing them. And then there are those who have illegal firearms and are also not supposed to have these firearms.”
Ndeitunga called on the general public – as they generally know the people in possession of such firearms – to inform the police.
Police Commissioner Generall du Toit further explained an issue that came out after the arrest of the farmers is that they inherited the firearms and never went to re-licence them and have them registered in their names.
“What happens is that they keep it. When we find you, we will arrest you because only an Executor of Estate is allowed by law to have these firearms. When a person dies you take the firearms to the police and get a receipt and as soon as that firearm is on your name you can get the firearm.”
For trophy hunters, Du Toit said people come to Namibia for trophy hunting and return to their countries, often leaving the firearms and ammunition here.
He said when one gets an import permit, that means it is your licence and, secondly, it means that the firearms must go out of the country or be handed over to the police if not being taken with.
He added that if the hunter leaves the firearm behind then the farmer is in possession of illegal arms and/or ammunition. It must, therefore, be handed to the police until the owner requests it or sells it.
Additionally, Du Toit said people cannot lend firearms to another person, unless it is in compliance with the law and they are given permission for another individual than the owner to keep, but not use it.