MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - "You don't ever threaten anyone with a firearm. That will be met with a policy of zero tolerance," is a message that the SAPS want to get across to the public.

This message is especially relevant after an incident on April 8 when a charge was laid at the Makhado SAPS on three counts. The first is for the illegal possession of firearms, the second is failure to comply with the provisions under the firearm regulation, and the third is failure to take the necessary steps to safeguard firearms.

The case was opened after an incident on Thursday, April 8, on the Rondebosch smallholdings, when the firearms of a 25-year-old male were confiscated. Statements regarding a complaint of alleged domestic violence are being investigated. On Saturday, April 10, an additional charge was laid for the illegal possession of explosives. An investigation is underway in terms of Article 11 of the Firearm Legislation.

Captain Bez Bezuidenhout, in charge of the firearm section of the Vhembe area and stationed in Thohoyandou, said last week that the public should be made aware of the firearm legislation. In terms of Section 11, a person may be declared unfit to possess a firearm if he has threatened or even expressed the intention to kill or injure himself or any other person by means of a firearm. Capt Bezuidenhout explained that the firearm of a person with an inclination to violence, whether a firearm has been used in the violence or not, may be confiscated. In terms of Article 11, possession of a firearm is not in the interest of a person who has a dependence on intoxicating liquor or a drug which has a narcotic effect. In terms of Article 39, no person under the influence of alcohol may handle a firearm.

Article 11 also refers to a person who, while in lawful possession of a firearm, failed to take reasonable steps for the safekeeping of such firearm.

"You don't store a firearm in the cubbyhole of your car; if it is stolen, you have trouble," says Capt Bezuidenhout who is responsible for training SAPS members in Limpopo in terms of the firearm regulations.

Ignorance is not accepted in the court as an excuse. Capt Bezuidenhout is available on invitation to inform groups on how the new firearm legislation affects every individual. He may be contacted on Tel 082 565 7955.