Sumbe – At least 64 firearms of different types were seized by Police in Cuanza Sul province between January and June this year, as part of the process of disarming the civilian population, ANGOP learned.
According to the National Police's half-yearly report distributed to the press Tuesday, with the current coercive collection, there was an increase of 31 weapons compared to the same period in 2023.
Among the military material coercively seized are 22 shotguns, 17 AKMs, 16 pistols, two SKSs, the same number of carbines, a mini-uze, a galile and an Aka-ché.
The weapons were collected in the municipalities of Cela, Libolo, Sumbe, Amboim, Porto Amboim, Quibala, Cassongue, Seles, Ebo, Ebo and Quilenda.
The document states that of the voluntary disarming of civilian population, 18 firearms of different types were delivered, as well as 25 cartridge belts, 12 magazines, 746 rounds of ammunition in the municipalities of Cela, Libolo, Sumbe, Amboim, Porto Amboim, Quibala and Cassongue, Seles, Ebo and Quilenda.
Since the beginning of the disarmament process in March 2008, up to the current data, 7,640 different weapons have been registered.
Approximately 4,721 weapons were voluntarily handed in and another 2,919 were coercively collected.
Regarding the number of criminal cases, the National Police Command in Cuanza Sul clarified that from January to June of this year, 64% of the crimes recorded, out of a total of 564 crimes.
The half-yearly report considers the environment of public safety, order and tranquility throughout the period to be stable, with a reduction of 132 crimes compared to the same period in 2023. At least 564 citizens between the ages of 16 and 63 were preventively detained for committing crimes, an increase of 90 individuals, of which 278 were for serving warrants.
The half-yearly report considers that the environment of security, order and public tranquility in the period presented a stable balance, with a reduction of 132 crimes in relation to the previous period, 2023.
Regarding committing the offences, atleast 564 citizens between 16 and 63 years, were detained for security reasons, an increase of 90 people, 278 of these were for the fulfilment of warrants.
According to the institutional document, the crimes include, among others, 305 against property, 149 against people, 15 against drug trafficking, two against the State and 13 against consumers and the market.
As a result, 564 citizens between the ages of 16 and 63 were preventively detained, 90 more than in the first six months of 2023.
During the period under review, 1,172 cases were submitted, 11 more than in 2023, to the office of the Public Prosecutor's Office, 631 for legalization, 282 for inspection and 259 for evaluation.
Likewise, it is stated that 111 cases were submitted to summary judgment, involving the same number of defendants, 93 of whom were convicted and 18 acquitted due to insufficient evidence, which occurred in the municipalities of Sumbe, Libolo, Porto Amboim, Conda and Cela.
According to the National Police report, 103 community outreach actions were carried out, 41 of which were under the “Safe Community” Program.
According to the report, in the first six months of this year, 237 travel accidents were recorded (116 fewer than in the same period last year), with 101 deaths, 280 injuries and material damage estimated at 622 billion Kwanzas.
Road accidents represent 34%, with collisions between cars and motorcycles accounting for 18% of all road accidents.
Meanwhile, Traffic and Road Safety experts point to excessive speed, irregular overtaking, driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous manoeuvres, poor technical condition of vehicles and irregular changes of direction as the main causes of accidents. LC/ALH/MRA/DOJ
