Cosatu Defends Firearms Bill, Accuses AfriForum of Blocking Public Safety Efforts

Union Federation Backs Stricter Gun Laws

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has hit back at AfriForum, accusing the civil rights group of attempting to undermine Nedlac’s work on the Firearms Amendment Bill. The bill seeks to introduce tighter controls on private gun ownership, a move Cosatu says is vital for public safety.

The union federation, part of Nedlac’s labour constituency, expressed frustration over what it described as AfriForum’s “tantrums” against legislation aimed at curbing the country’s gun-related violence. Cosatu is aligned with Gun Free South Africa in backing the bill, while AfriForum, along with game hunting groups and private security companies, opposes the stricter regulations, claiming they limit lawful firearm use.

Transparency vs Public Safety

AfriForum’s spokesperson Jacques Broodryk argued that Nedlac had conducted secret discussions on the amendments, sidelining the firearm industry, sports shooters, and legal gun owners. Broodryk warned that ignoring these stakeholders could undermine public trust, accusing the government of overlooking data suggesting legal firearms owners are not the primary source of gun crime.

“Firearm regulation is a matter of public safety and constitutional rights. It has nothing to do with labour policy,” he said.

Cosatu Hits Back

Cosatu’s parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks responded forcefully, dismissing AfriForum’s objections as the antics of “bored, ageing juveniles” and defending Nedlac’s mandate to engage stakeholders.

“Firearms are directly linked to extreme levels of violent crime, which affect millions of working-class families,” Parks said. He highlighted staggering statistics:

• A police officer is murdered every week, mostly by gunshot.

• 33 South Africans are killed by firearms daily, a rate that has doubled over the past two decades.

• Over 24 legal firearms are stolen daily, and 29% of murders involve guns.

Parks also stressed that gun owners are far more likely to have their firearms stolen than use them in self-defence, and legal firearms often end up in criminal hands. Since the Firearms Control Act of 2000, 800,000 firearms have been recovered by police and the SA National Defence Force, resulting in 4,500 fewer deaths and a 35% drop in stolen firearms within five years.

Public Safety vs Rights Debate

Cosatu framed the bill as an essential tool for protecting South Africans’ constitutional right to life, while AfriForum continues to stress the constitutional right to bear arms. The debate has ignited public discussion, with social media reactions sharply divided:

• Some users praised Cosatu’s stance, citing rising crime rates and daily gun deaths.

• Others defended AfriForum, warning that law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be penalized for criminals’ actions.

The clash highlights the delicate balance between public safety and constitutional rights in South Africa. While Nedlac continues its work on the amendments, tensions between labour unions, civil rights groups, and gun owners signal that the firearms debate is far from settled.

As Parks emphasized, stricter control over firearms is not just legislation, it’s a lifeline for families living under the shadow of gun violence.

{Source: The Citizen}

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