Culture

HLANE - The National Commissioner of Police, Vusi Manoma Masango, has warned gun licence holders against lending their guns to other people.

In an interview ahead of the registration of guns at Hlane Royal Residence, where warriors are gathered for Butimba, Masango said it is criminal for gun licence holders to lend their guns to other people. He said if someone was found in possession of a borrowed gun, the licence holder would be dealt with by the law. “If someone comes here with a borrowed gun, our firearms and ammunition team will detect it and identify the licence holder.

The licence holder will be in trouble with the law for lending his gun to someone else. Guns should only be possessed by licence holders and not be borrowed to the next person,” Masango said ahead of the registration of guns that will be used during Butimba.

The national commissioner was interviewed after His Majesty King Mswati III entrusted him with the responsibility to ensure that all guns to be used during Butimba are registered accordingly.

The King urged Masango, when commissioning Butimba, to ensure that all guns are registered before they could be used at the event.

Through Indvuna Qomentanyeni Magagula, the King also warned against the use of pistols, which he termed ‘umtfukuso’, at the event.

Emphasising this, Masango said the arms and ammunition team will by no means allow pistols at the event. He said only long-range guns will be used to shoot the animals from a distance.

While at the gun registration point, the police were particular about the gun licences and the licence holders.  The guns were assessed and marked before they were kept for safety.

Full article available in our publication.

The warriors ready for the commencement of Butimba. (Pics: Sibusiso Shange)

Warriors in song shortly after their arrival at Hlane Royal Residence.