JOHANNESBURG — South African computer experts have developed a system called a smart gun that may help curb this country's horrific firearm death statistics. A smart gun is a personalized firearm, which can only be used by the person accredited to it, according to Saturday Star newspaper. Two methods are being considered to reach that end, according to Nic van Zyl, the coordinating member of the Computerized International Firearm Licensing and Authorization... (GunPolicy.org)

JOHANNESBURG — A distraught South African college student shot dead three lecturers who he blamed for his poor exam results and then turned the gun on himself, The Citizen newspaper reported on Saturday. "Initial indications are that the lecturers were killed because of an exam-related issue," police Senior Superintendent Phuti Setati said. The 20-year-old man was cornered by police. He shot himself and died later in hospital. His parents told police their son... (GunPolicy.org)

Replica guns are threatening the lives of innocent South Africans, a new report by Gun Free SA, a lobby group, says. The organisation says the sale of the toy guns has reached alarming proportions. It says most end up in the hands of criminals or lead to unfortunate deaths as they are mistaken for genuine weapons. Last week in Northern Province, for example, an 11-year-old boy was shot dead after allegedly pointing a toy gun at a security guard. The guard said he did... (GunPolicy.org)

Between three and four million illegal weapons are circulating in South Africa, sourced from Mozambique and Angola, but also from China, Singapore and the United States, according to a report released Wednesday. South African police say that 90 percent of all hijackings are committed using illegal handguns, and in 1995, 75 percent of murders were carried out with these weapons, according to the Star newspaper. Heavy arms are also feeding ongoing taxi wars in South... (GunPolicy.org)

JOHANNESBURG — Thieves broke into a South African military arms store at the weekend and made off with 117 automatic weapons and four rocket launchers, a military official said on Tuesday. The thieves wrote "Viva Mandela" and "Kill the Boers (farmers)" in metal filings left on the floor. Lieutenant Colonel Charl de Klerk said police and the army were running parallel investigations into the heist, which probably occurred on Saturday. "The burglars used professional... (GunPolicy.org)

JOHANNESBURG — The indiscriminate use of guns is something that needs to be addressed urgently, says Justice Minister Dullah Omar. Speaking to Network Radio Services yesterday after visiting the relatives of six-month-old Angelina Zwane in Benoni, Mr Omar said he knew the Department of Safety and Security was addressing the issue. He said the present gun laws needed drastic revision and heavy penalties should be imposed for the misuse and illegal use of... (GunPolicy.org)

In 1997 police lost 1,802 guns mostly through robbery or housebreaking. A total of 932 firearms were robbed form police service members, 321 were lost because of housebreaking into private and official quarters, 40 were stolen from state vehicles, 44 were stolen from private vehicles, and 35 were stolen after vehicle collisions in which police were killed or injured. Replying to further questions, Minister Mufamadi said 89 firearms were lost by police while on guard... (GunPolicy.org)

CAPE TOWN — Capetonians under threat of gang violence are arming themselves, and in some areas licence applications are doubling each month Licensed guns for use in self-defence in the "old South Africa" were predominantly a luxury few people of colour were allowed — or could afford. They lived in communities where guns were forbidden to the law-abiding citizen and they proved the argument advanced by many pro-gun lobbyists around the world, namely: "If guns are... (GunPolicy.org)