By SIMON MUNTEMBA
GOVERNMENT has destroyed 6, 200 illegal firearms under the Amnesty Month Guns Destruction.
Speaking during the exercise, Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said government was committed to the implementation of the United Nations programme of action on the control of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
Mr Kampyongo also urged the security units in Zambia to join hands with the Zambia Police in reinforcing peace and security in the nation.
He said government shall endeavor to render support to the Zambia Police in all its operations to ensure that the country remained a beacon of peace in the region.
He said government under President Edgar Lungu was committed to ensuring that its citizens and investors were accorded a conducive atmosphere.
It is for this purpose that today, he said, the government is part of this global exercise of destruction of illegal firearms.
The Minister commended the Individuale Manniskohjalp (IM) for its support in ensuring that the event took place.
He also thanked Zambians who had heeded government’s call to surrender the illicit or unlicensed firearms.
Meanwhile, Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Ann Maj Hultgard who thanked the Zambian government for the exercise said gun violence was a stark barrier to development both in conflict and non-conflict settings.
She said she was pleased to see partnership development between Sweden’s Humanium Metal and Zambian counterparts contributing to ending gun violence.
And Inspector General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja said the service attached great importance to creating a safer and enabling environment for all to flourish and freely participate in social and economic activities in the country.
Mr Kanganja disclosed that the Zambia Police was working with other international communities to stamp out proliferation of illegal firearms.
Govt destroys 6, 200 illegal firearms
