• All citizens who may be in possession of firearms to take advantage of the amnesty advanced by the Zambia Police Service
• Phenomenon of political violence that has characterized aspects of Zambia’s politics has seen illegal guns become a weapon.
• There is no doubt that the increase in the circulation and usage of firearms has contributed to a reduction in the safety and security of citizens

Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has appealed to all citizens who may be in possession of firearms to take advantage of the amnesty advanced by the ZPS as safer and secure Zambia starts with all citizens being responsible.
SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Cheembe told Money FM News that the phenomenon of political violence that has characterized aspects of Zambia’s politics has seen illegal guns become a weapon used to intimidate and traumatize citizens which is not good.
Mr Cheembe said there is no doubt that the increase in the circulation and usage of firearms has contributed to a reduction in the safety and security of citizens.
“The Use of firearms has contributed to a reduction in the safety and security of citizens which can be evidenced in the reduced levels of peacefulness as contained in the 15th edition of the 2021 Global Peace Index (GPI),” he said
He noted that the illegal firearm amnesty that the Zambia Police Service (ZPS) has given to the public is a good initiative which is done at the right time.
Mr Cheembe said recently the Zambia Police Service has offered an amnesty on all illegal firearms for a period of one month.
“This entails that members of the public in possession of illegal firearms such as those without documents, those left by deceased relatives or which could have come into their possession due to various reasons should be surrendered to the Zambia Police Service and they will not be arrested and prosecuted,” he noted.
Zambia Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo disclosed that the amnesty is effective 21st August, 2021 and ends on 21st September, 2021.
Mrs Katongo called on members of the public to take advantage of the firearm amnesty to surrender all the firearms in wrong hands.