Lesotho observes the African Union(AU)’s call to its member states that September be declared as a month of forgiveness, in which people who possess illegal firearms be allowed to return them without being arrested.

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service(LMPS) Spokesperson Supretendent Mpiti Mopeli, said September was declared as a month of forgiveness by African Union(AU),in one of its summits last year.

He said during the summit AU member state agreed that starting from this year until in 2020, September will be declared as a month in which AU member states, will announce to their citizens that all illegal firearms, must be returned to the police stations and people who possess them will not be arrested.

Supretendent Mopeli indicated that African countries are planning to end the gun shot by 2020 under the theme; “Silencing the guns in Africa”.

He further explained that all kinds of theft which include motor vehicles and animal theft, are committed using illegal firearms.

Supretendent Mopeli pointed out that gangs also commit criminal activities, using illegal firearms in different African countries.