Small arms availability worries Mateyo
Small arms availability worries MateyoBy Masuzyo Chakwe
Tuesday September 23, 2008 [04:00]
THE widespread availability of small arms and light weapons has contributed to the development of a culture of violence that has destroyed the social fabric of many African countries, Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo (above) has said.
During a capacity building workshop on small arms and light weapons yesterday, Mateyo said available statistics indicated that out of the estimated 500 million small arms and light weapons in circulation worldwide, 100 million were found in Africa.
He said those weapons were easy to use, conceal and maintain and had been the weapons of choice in many of the conflicts existing in Africa.
Mateyo said small arms and light weapons had also undermined efforts meant at recording economic development, governance and democratisation.
He said although by themselves, those weapons did not cause conflicts, their widespread availability increased the likelihood of conflict.
And home affairs minister Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha thanked the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) for sponsoring the workshop, which was aimed at building the capacity of security organisations in their efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal arms in the southern African region.
"Furthermore, Zambia greatly appreciates the initiative taken by the Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) in conjunction with the Internal Sub Regional Bureau for taking this crucial step of encouraging this country to lay the institutional foundation which, is necessary in the fight against the scourge of illicit arms," he said.
Lt Gen Shikapwasha said although the country was still gripped with a deep sense of loss following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, the government affirmed its total commitment to combating crimes related to illicit arms.
Labels: ARMS, EPHRAIM MATEYO
posted by MrK @ 4:34 AM
1 Comments:
I think this is yet another one of those occasions where the Zambian authorities want to be heard saying something about a rather serious situation, but not actually doing anything about it.
Zambia's own gun policy is far from clear, let alone effective to serve its purpose. A person could buy a fireman with very little vetting by the police. In fact several 'Sports' shops have sprung up around the capital mainly selling handguns, which are hardly sports equipment. The primary purpose of handguns is for shooting at people, which is not a sport anywhere in the world.
I think the Inspector General of the Zambian Police force must put money where his mouth is and present real policies to tackle gun crime in Zambia which is now out of control.
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