Pretoria - Cabinet has approved the submission of the Draft Dangerous Weapons Bill to Parliament.
Briefing reporters at a post Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Acting Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Richard Baloyi, said the bill was expected to repeal the previous Dangerous Weapons Acts, which was in operation in the former Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei homelands.
The bill will enhance organisational efficiency and facilitate the transformation of the legal system in line with the constitutional imperatives.
Asked if the bill will make it illegal for striking workers to carry dangerous weapons, Baloyi said: "I want to state that the carrying of weapons by protesters is completely illegal.
"It is unfortunate that in a democratic state like South Africa, where doors are open for engagement ... we have a situation where people carry weapons and become violent."
He said Cabinet has emphasized that law enforcement agencies need to deal with this issue, adding that it must be made clear to workers who strike that they are not allowed to carry dangerous weapons. - SAnews.gov.za
