The month of September is “amnesty month” and the Namibian Police are urging members of the public who might be in the possession of unlicenced firearms, ammunition, armaments and related items to surrender it at any police station countrywide.

This forms part of Namibia’s commitment to the African Union Master Roadmap of Silence Guns in Africa (2021 – 2030) initiative. The amnesty period runs from 1 September to 30 September 2026. As per the Arms and Ammunition Act 7 of 1996, a person who surrenders unlicenced firearms, ammunition, armaments and related materials during this period will not be arrested or prosecuted.

According to Nampol, this initiative has been successful since its inception with the latest achievement during September 2025, when 86 unlicenced firearms and 3 197 rounds of ammunition were surrendered, which, according to Nampol, is a clear indication that unlicenced firearms, ammunition and armaments are still being used or in circulation. Nampol further reports that since September 2025 until June 2026 a total of 20 murder cases involving firearms were reported, as well as 261 cases of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Additionally, 176 cases of pointing of firearm and 88 cases of unauthorised possession of firearms were registered, Nampol’s head of public relations division, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi remarked.