Over 1,700 illegal firearms from Lesotho destroyed in SA

The South African Police Service and their counterparts in Lesotho have destroyed over 1,700 illegal firearms seized during crime-fighting operations in the mountain kingdom.

The firearms, transported to South Africa as part of strengthened regional police cooperation, were destroyed on Friday.

National Police Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane said the initiative is aimed at removing illegal firearms from circulation and cross-border crime.

“We are not only taking firearms out of circulation; we are taking concrete steps towards the Africa we want to see by 2063, an Africa where communities are safer and where illicit firearms no longer fuel crime and violence.”

Lesotho National Police Commissioner Borotho Matsoso added that continued cooperation between the two countries is essential in tackling crimes such as human trafficking, stock theft, vehicle theft and truck trafficking.

“Today’s destruction demonstrates collaboration between two countries committed to fighting crime together.”

The National Central Bureaus of INTERPOL in South Africa and Lesotho helped in the movement of the firearms between the two countries.

Two months ago, SAPS destroyed almost 12,000 firearms