A previously announced moratorium on firearms from South Africa to Mozambique, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and Lesotho has officially been amended to allow the transit of hunting rifles. That is according to an official statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS) issued on February 27, 2024.
SCI had warned members about the moratorium earlier this month in a blog post, but removed the post only days afterwards when PHASA, Hunters Support 2000 and Custodians of Professional Hunting and Conservation South Africa received verbal agreement from authorities to lift the moratorium in relation to hunting firearms.
SAPS has now issued a written statement confirming that the transit of hunting firearms to the above listed destinations will be allowed on condition that permit applications be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Consideration of permits will be based on presentation of all the appropriate and legally required documentation from applicants. SCI members can download a list of the requirements for a transit permit from the SCI website (safariclub.org/firearm-import-requirements) or by contacting SCI’s Hunter Information Service ([email protected]).
Also clarified in the SAPS statement is that OR Tambo International Airport is the port of entry where arriving hunters may receive all firearm import permits and transit permits. Hunters arriving at the Cape Town International Airport should acquire pre-issued permits before their arrival in South Africa. Hunters planning to transit to Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho, may also want to acquire pre-issued import and transit permits to avoid any possible delays upon arrival in South Africa.
Hunters Support 2000 ([email protected]) and PHASA ([email protected]) are among several services in South Africa that Hunters may use to apply for pre-issued permits.
