Speaker, the Firearms Control Act, No 60 of 2000, came into effect in 2004. Section 124(17) of the Act establishes the Central Firearms Registry that must contain all information related to firearms, such as a firearms database, dealer database, manufacturers' database, licences, authorisations and permits, renewals and cancellations.
There have been complaints and allegations related to the malfunctioning of the SAPS Central Firearms Registry. The Minister's task team, led by the Civilian Secretary of Police which probed these allegations, confirmed the malfunctioning, which is evidenced by a backlog in the processing of firearms licences, corruption and irregular issuing of these licences and other things.
We welcome the Minister's appropriate intervention, which includes the establishment of an intervention team to address the current backlog. We agree with the Minister that the current management of the Central Firearms Registry needs to be changed as a matter of urgency. We further call upon the Minister to ensure that where corruption has occurred, sanctions should be applied.
In the interests of all citizens, we further ask the public and interested parties to co-operate and exercise patience as these challenges are being addressed. We believe that an incorruptible Central Firearms Registry is an important component in South Africa's fight against crime. I thank you. [Applause.]