The Implementation Of The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Protocol On The Control Of Firearms, Ammunition And Other Related Material: A Case Study Of Namibia

ABSTRACT

This study explored the question regarding the extent to which Namibia complies with the SADC Protocol on Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials by looking at the possible disparities between the national fire arms control laws and the relevant provisions of this SADC Protocol. Qualitative research design of exploratory nature, were applied in this research, relying primarily on a case study method. The data was collected from books, documents, statutes, official records, previous surveys, journals, newspaper articles, theses, dissertations and key informant interviews. In terms of the findings, this research observed a number of SADC member states which had not yet harmonized their firearms control laws as required by the SADC Protocol. In the specific case of Namibia several policy and programmatic initiatives were undertaken in an attempt to comply with the provision of the SADC Protocol on Control of Firearms. However, there are still disparities between the SADC Protocol and the Namibia Arms and Ammunition Act as the principal legislative instrument, such as; the absence in the Act, of a provision for the mandatory competence testing and training for firearm licence holder applicants. Secondly, the law allows for the possession of the firearms by person other than its legal owner which runs contrary to the requirement of the SADC Protocol. Thirdly, the Act does not provide for the auditing of firearms and ammunition in possession of private citizens as prescribed by the protocol. Therefore, the Arms and Ammunition Act needs some amendments to bring it in full conformity with the SADC Protocol, a process which was described by some of the key informants as being under way at the time this study was undertaken. Meanwhile, the SADC

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Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials itself was also found by this research undertaking to be in need of some amendments to make it more effective.