First Recipient of Reward For Reporting Illegal Firearm Donates Funding To NHW

Media Release: First Recipient of Reward For Reporting Illegal Firearm Donates Funding To NHW

The first recipient of the R10 000 reward for reporting an illegal firearm to the Provincial Department of Community Safety, has decided to donate the funds to his local Neighbourhood Watch (NHW). The funds will now go towards aiding the installation of License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras.

Minister of Community Safety, Alan Winde, says: “I regard this individual as a true crime fighting hero and someone who has the best interest of his community at heart. I sincerely commend him for his selflessness, in firstly ensuring that an illegal firearm is removed off the street, and then using his reward to further strengthen his NHW’s efforts to safeguard his community.

It is unfortunate that the identity of this hero has to be kept a secret, as he needs to be fully celebrated, but given the nature of crime in this Province, and how witnesses are threatened and at times killed, it is fully understandable.”

In December, the individual reported the firearm, and after SAPS followed their due process, it was confirmed that it was indeed an illegal firearm.

Mortuary statistics from the Western Cape Department of Health indicates that of the 1226 people killed between November 2018 and February 2019, 535 were fatal shootings.

Minister Winde said: “The removal of this one firearm will ensure that fewer people are shot in the Province. I want to encourage all to report where the illegal firearms are stored in their communities, so that more illegal firearms that are used to commit horrendous crimes are removed from our streets.”

To report an illegal firearm, residents can call 078 330 9333. A senior official in the Department of Community Safety will handle the call, take all the details, and report it to SAPS.

Minister Winde said: “Just as in this case, I want to assure residents, we will not share the identity or any information of the individual who reported the firearm with SAPS or anyone else. It is important to us, that people are aware that we can be trusted, as our mission, is to together create a #SaferWesternCape.”