STORY: Malawi police destroy more than 1,000 illegal firearms to boost safety
DATELINE: July 31, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:06
LOCATION: Lilongwe
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of officers piling the arms
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAPPY MKANDAWIRE, Deputy inspector general of Malawi police service
3. various of the deputy inspector general lighting torch to start the flame
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TAK MASHIKO, United Nations Programs Officer for the Conventional Arms Branch
5. various of officials at the burning of the guns
6. various of the firearms burning
7. various of police officers
8. various of burning firearms
 
STORYLINE:
 
Malawi Police Service, in collaboration with its partners, has destroyed a total of 1,073 firearms and muzzleloaders that were illegally owned and confiscated in the process of law enforcement.
 
The destruction of the firearms took place in public Friday last week at the Malawi Police Service's headquarters in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HAPPY MKANDAWIRE, Deputy inspector general of Malawi police service
"You may wish to know that the firearms have been collected from various or across the board from various points. Others were recovered from criminals upon arrest. Other firearms were abandoned elsewhere while others were willfully surrendered by people. So, the process has been quite extensive, but we are grateful to all stakeholders who helped us reach this far in collecting 1,073 firearms."
 
According to the Malawi Police, the event showcased the unwavering commitment of the law enforcement agency toward ensuring a secure and safe environment for all citizens, as well as safeguarding the lives of protected animals.
 
The majority of the firearms destroyed were confiscated from poachers or found abandoned in national parks and game reserves, underscoring the link between firearm possession and wildlife crimes.
 
Despite relatively low levels of gun violence, the police in Malawi remain vigilant and enforce strict firearms registration and management practices to combat firearms-related crimes.
 
United Nations Programs Officer for the Conventional Arms Branch Tak Mashiko emphasized the critical impact of small arms and light weapons on sustainable development.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TAK MASHIKO, United Nations Programs Officer for the Conventional Arms Branch
"It is critical to secure weapons control, which will reduce armed violence and that will create a conducive environment for sustainable development. So, peace and security, disarmament, and arms control is just the foundation, part of the sustainable development."
 
International Firearms Destruction Day is commemorated annually, with UN member states given the flexibility to choose any day in July for the observance.
 
Malawi selected July 28 as the day to mark the occasion, reflecting their concern about the devastating impact of firearms within their region. The day's significance lies in raising awareness about the global arms trade and the need for collective efforts to promote peace and security worldwide.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lilongwe.
(XHTV)