BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has reaffirmed its commitment to creating safer communities after destroying 88 firearms during the commemoration of International Gun Destruction Day at the Matsapha Police Academy on Thursday.
The destruction exercise, which coincided with the global observance of International Gun Destruction Day on July 9, saw police permanently dispose of a collection of shotguns, pistols, rifles and homemade firearms that had been removed from circulation through law enforcement operations.
According to REPS, the firearms consisted of exhibits from criminal cases that had already been concluded in court, weapons confiscated during various police operations, as well as firearms that were no longer functional. Rather than keeping the weapons in storage, the police ensured they could never be used again by destroying them using an industrial cutting machine.
The cutting method involved severing the critical components of each firearm, making it impossible for the weapons to be repaired, reassembled or returned to operational use. Once destroyed, the firearms were reduced to scrap metal, eliminating any possibility of them falling back into the wrong hands.
The exercise forms part of international protocols and programmes aimed at combating the illegal circulation of firearms and dismantling criminal networks that depend on illicit weapons. Around the world, gun destruction is recognised as an important crime prevention measure that helps reduce armed violence and improves public safety.
For Eswatini, the destruction of the firearms reflects the country’s continued commitment to strengthening law enforcement and protecting citizens from gun-related crime. Every weapon permanently removed from circulation represents one less opportunity for criminals to threaten lives, commit violent offences or endanger communities.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service continues to work with local, regional and international partners to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms while encouraging the public to report suspicious activities and the unlawful possession of weapons. Community cooperation remains a key pillar in the fight against crime.
By destroying the 88 firearms on International Gun Destruction Day, REPS has sent a strong message that illegal weapons have no place in Eswatini. The exercise demonstrates the Service’s determination to build safer communities, uphold the rule of law and promote lasting peace and security across the Kingdom.
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