President Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved a national firearms amnesty allowing individuals and institutions to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition without being questioned about their decision to hand them over.
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Read E-PaperAccording to a police statement issued on October 19, 2026, the exercise runs from October 12 to November 12, giving members of the public an opportunity to surrender unlicensed, smuggled or illegally acquired weapons at their nearest police station.
The initiative is being implemented in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Firearms Control, ammunition and other related materials.
Police said the amnesty also seeks to address cases involving licensed firearm holders who have failed to renew their certificates, update their records or keep their weapons securely.
Authorities warned that poor firearm management and inadequate storage could expose weapons to theft and misuse, potentially contributing to serious crimes, including armed robbery and murder.
Investigations have also revealed that some firearms remain in circulation despite changes in the circumstances of their registered owners.
These include weapons linked to companies that have closed, gun club members whose memberships are no longer active, and licensed firearm holders who have died.
The amnesty provides an opportunity for such firearms and ammunition to be surrendered to the authorities, helping to reduce the risks associated with the possession and handling of weapons outside the required legal procedures.
