By Mfanufikile Khathwane (Intern)
MATSAPHA – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) destroyed 55 firearms on July 9, 2025 in commemoration of International Gun Destruction Day.
The event, held at the Matsapha Police College, supports the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” campaign aimed at promoting peace and public safety across the continent.
According to Simangele Fakudze, who is responsible for firearms within the REPS, 41 of the destroyed weapons were non-functional and voluntarily surrendered by civilians. The remaining firearms belonged to the Government through the Royal Eswatini Police and were decommissioned due to being defective or beyond repair.
“This helps prevent the unnecessary accumulation of unusable firearms and enhances public safety,” Fakudze said, thanking the public for cooperating in the exercise.
Fakudze extended her appreciation to members of the public who voluntarily handed over their defective firearms, highlighting the importance of collective action in ensuring national safety.
She added that millions of firearms have been destroyed globally since 2001 under similar initiatives all aimed at protecting nations and their families from gun-related violence.
The gun destruction initiative underscores Eswatini’s commitment to peace, safety, and disarmament across the continent.
(Courtesy Pics)
