Circular No. 4 of 2008
LEGISLATION REPORT: 20 AUGUST 2008
Please note that this is a condensed report and does not include all items discussed at meetings held, but merely items applicable and of interest to CHASA member associations. Minutes of meetings held in June will be submitted at the September meetings for approval.
FIREARM LICENCE RENEWALS:
According to the study done by the North-West University end of 2007, “The National Profile and Economic Impact of Biltong Hunters in South Africa”, it seems as if 78% of hunters started the process of re-issuing of firearm licenses, which is on par with the period.
HUNTERS/SAPS CONSULTATIVE FORUM
A forum meeting held in Pretoria during June was attended by Neil Jones, Fred Mulders and Adri Kitshoff on behalf of CHASA. The next meeting is scheduled for 17 September 2008.
The following are some of the points discussed at the meeting:
It was agreed that the chairman of the forum should write a letter to the Minister of Safety and Security re general amnesty (late applications, etc.)
Since Capt. Mattheus has been appointed as the designated official to deal with enquiries from accredited hunting associations, we have seen movement in the status of applications already in Pretoria. However, we still have queries of members with outstanding competency and firearm licence applications on provincial levels since 2005. Information on various queries has been forwarded the CFR in Pretoria, but without any success. Sr-Supt Govender (CFR) stated that time limits cannot be attached to applications as CFR cannot take responsibility for the provincial SAPS stations. They are however confident that the restructuring of the CFR (Pretoria) should improve the service. Dir Bothma requested that they be informed of any problems at stations for them to follow up.
CHASA’s representatives expressed concern that decisions taken at the forum and/or communication from CFR do not reach the DFO’s and requested forum members be copied on correspondence between Dir Bothma’s office and DFO’s. It was noted that forum members will only be copied on SAPS correspondence when it’s applicable to them. On a request that DFO’s attend the forum meetings, it was noted that it is logistically not viable and can therefore not happen.
It was confirmed that, if a person’s licence applications are being refused for more than the four firearms granted, he/she has to appeal on SAP530, after joining an accredited association.
There was a complaint that no receipts are being issued for firearms surrendered to some SAPS stations. CFR confirmed that an acknowledgement of receipt for the firearm on a SAP 523 – 5228 must be issued. A SAP 13 number should also be issued at the SAPS station. The public should report cases where this procedure is not followed.
HAWASA (HUNTING & WILDLIFE ASSOCIATIONS OF SA)
The following were some of the issues discussed at the June meeting, attended by Adri Kitshoff, Daan Bodenstein and Fred Mulders:
- National permit system:
CHASA submitted a revised draft document, proposing a uniform national permit and licensing system in South Africa. All agreed that the document should be adapted in line with the Biodiversity Act and underwrite self regulation in the industry. The finalization of this document will receive priority, in order to submit a well thought-through proposal to DEAT.
- Research:
The lack of scientific basis for informed decisions to be taken regarding wildlife management in South Africa is a major concern to all. No reliable information is available regarding wildlife in private ownership. HAWASA members were of the opinion that it is their responsibility, on behalf of the industry, to contribute towards the establishment of research capacities in this regard. A Task team has been compiled, consisting of Prof. Gerhard Verdoorn (SAHGCA), Dr Gert Dry (WRSA), Prof. Pieter Potgieter (SAHGCA), Prof. Pieter Van Niekerk (CHASA) and Mr Peter Butland (PHASA). The Teask team will report back at the next meeting regarding their progress.
DEAT appointed a service provider to compile the “National Norms and Standards” for the hunting industry, Mr. David Sutherland. HAWASA members will endeavour to arrange a workshop with Mr Sutherland, ensuring that he use the documents agreed to by us in the past, as the departure point of the document. Members attending the workshop will be
R Holtzhausen (WRSA); P Butland (PHASA); G Verdoorn (SAHGCA) P Potgieter (SAHGCA) and Adri Kitshoff (CHASA).
Peter Butland (PHASA) informed the meeting regarding IFAW’s anti-hunting campaign at airports, influencing tourists not to purchase any animal products in SA. An appointment will be arranged with the head of ACSA to discuss the situation and to point out to him that such advertising campaigns damage the image of the airports as well as tourism.
WILDLIFE FORUM
Adri Kitshoff, Daan Bodenstein and Fred Mulders attended the Wildlife forum in June on behalf of CHASA.
- Threatened and/of Protected species regulations:
The Forum expressed their concern regarding the TOPS species list and requested that it be reviewed. On DEAT’s reply that the list could only be reviewed in the next financial year, the forum argued that next year was too far and the list needed urgent amendments. The current list was causing an administration burden for provinces, since permits have to be issued for species that do not need to be regulated.
It was decided that a proposal from the industry, with comments and the identified species that needed to be reviewed in the list, would be sent to the Minister for his consideration.
DEAT had arranged for a TOPS workshop end of June to be attended, by up to 10 representatives from each province in order to address problems with the implementation of TOPS. At the time of the meeting, there were only 4 provinces who were not yet TOPS compliant, of which KZN was one.
(For information: Adri reported that it was confirmed at the Hunting Advisory Board meeting held at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife during August (attended by KZN Hunting & Conservation), that over and above the TOPS permit issued to land owners or hunters, a hunter must still be in possession of the provincial protected licence when hunting TOPS animals.)
- General:
A concern was raised regarding the lack of hospitality to hunting clients at OR Tambo airport. This complaint was raised due to the observed non-handling of hunting equipment and continued theft at the OR Tambo airport. PHASA indicated that the matter was causing a bad reflection for South Africa, and international hunters were beginning to view South Africa as an unsafe Tourism destination. The Forum requested DEAT to intervene in this process, since Tourism is part of DEAT’s mandate.
PHASA was requested by the Forum to draft a memorandum to the Minister regarding this concern. Ms Boshoff (DEAT) will also raise the matter at the 4D meeting as a concern from the Wildlife Forum.
DEAT informed the Forum that the moratorium on trade in White Rhino horn internationally and nationally, as well as a proposed procedure to regulate the hunting of white rhino, has been approved by the Minister.
Kind regards,
Adri Kitshoff
Vice-Chair
LEGISLATION REPORT: 20 AUGUST 2008
Please note that this is a condensed report and does not include all items discussed at meetings held, but merely items applicable and of interest to CHASA member associations. Minutes of meetings held in June will be submitted at the September meetings for approval.
FIREARM LICENCE RENEWALS:
According to the study done by the North-West University end of 2007, “The National Profile and Economic Impact of Biltong Hunters in South Africa”, it seems as if 78% of hunters started the process of re-issuing of firearm licenses, which is on par with the period.
HUNTERS/SAPS CONSULTATIVE FORUM
A forum meeting held in Pretoria during June was attended by Neil Jones, Fred Mulders and Adri Kitshoff on behalf of CHASA. The next meeting is scheduled for 17 September 2008.
The following are some of the points discussed at the meeting:
It was agreed that the chairman of the forum should write a letter to the Minister of Safety and Security re general amnesty (late applications, etc.)
Since Capt. Mattheus has been appointed as the designated official to deal with enquiries from accredited hunting associations, we have seen movement in the status of applications already in Pretoria. However, we still have queries of members with outstanding competency and firearm licence applications on provincial levels since 2005. Information on various queries has been forwarded the CFR in Pretoria, but without any success. Sr-Supt Govender (CFR) stated that time limits cannot be attached to applications as CFR cannot take responsibility for the provincial SAPS stations. They are however confident that the restructuring of the CFR (Pretoria) should improve the service. Dir Bothma requested that they be informed of any problems at stations for them to follow up.
CHASA’s representatives expressed concern that decisions taken at the forum and/or communication from CFR do not reach the DFO’s and requested forum members be copied on correspondence between Dir Bothma’s office and DFO’s. It was noted that forum members will only be copied on SAPS correspondence when it’s applicable to them. On a request that DFO’s attend the forum meetings, it was noted that it is logistically not viable and can therefore not happen.
It was confirmed that, if a person’s licence applications are being refused for more than the four firearms granted, he/she has to appeal on SAP530, after joining an accredited association.
There was a complaint that no receipts are being issued for firearms surrendered to some SAPS stations. CFR confirmed that an acknowledgement of receipt for the firearm on a SAP 523 – 5228 must be issued. A SAP 13 number should also be issued at the SAPS station. The public should report cases where this procedure is not followed.
HAWASA (HUNTING & WILDLIFE ASSOCIATIONS OF SA)
The following were some of the issues discussed at the June meeting, attended by Adri Kitshoff, Daan Bodenstein and Fred Mulders:
- National permit system:
CHASA submitted a revised draft document, proposing a uniform national permit and licensing system in South Africa. All agreed that the document should be adapted in line with the Biodiversity Act and underwrite self regulation in the industry. The finalization of this document will receive priority, in order to submit a well thought-through proposal to DEAT.
- Research:
The lack of scientific basis for informed decisions to be taken regarding wildlife management in South Africa is a major concern to all. No reliable information is available regarding wildlife in private ownership. HAWASA members were of the opinion that it is their responsibility, on behalf of the industry, to contribute towards the establishment of research capacities in this regard. A Task team has been compiled, consisting of Prof. Gerhard Verdoorn (SAHGCA), Dr Gert Dry (WRSA), Prof. Pieter Potgieter (SAHGCA), Prof. Pieter Van Niekerk (CHASA) and Mr Peter Butland (PHASA). The Teask team will report back at the next meeting regarding their progress.
DEAT appointed a service provider to compile the “National Norms and Standards” for the hunting industry, Mr. David Sutherland. HAWASA members will endeavour to arrange a workshop with Mr Sutherland, ensuring that he use the documents agreed to by us in the past, as the departure point of the document. Members attending the workshop will be
R Holtzhausen (WRSA); P Butland (PHASA); G Verdoorn (SAHGCA) P Potgieter (SAHGCA) and Adri Kitshoff (CHASA).
Peter Butland (PHASA) informed the meeting regarding IFAW’s anti-hunting campaign at airports, influencing tourists not to purchase any animal products in SA. An appointment will be arranged with the head of ACSA to discuss the situation and to point out to him that such advertising campaigns damage the image of the airports as well as tourism.
WILDLIFE FORUM
Adri Kitshoff, Daan Bodenstein and Fred Mulders attended the Wildlife forum in June on behalf of CHASA.
- Threatened and/of Protected species regulations:
The Forum expressed their concern regarding the TOPS species list and requested that it be reviewed. On DEAT’s reply that the list could only be reviewed in the next financial year, the forum argued that next year was too far and the list needed urgent amendments. The current list was causing an administration burden for provinces, since permits have to be issued for species that do not need to be regulated.
It was decided that a proposal from the industry, with comments and the identified species that needed to be reviewed in the list, would be sent to the Minister for his consideration.
DEAT had arranged for a TOPS workshop end of June to be attended, by up to 10 representatives from each province in order to address problems with the implementation of TOPS. At the time of the meeting, there were only 4 provinces who were not yet TOPS compliant, of which KZN was one.
(For information: Adri reported that it was confirmed at the Hunting Advisory Board meeting held at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife during August (attended by KZN Hunting & Conservation), that over and above the TOPS permit issued to land owners or hunters, a hunter must still be in possession of the provincial protected licence when hunting TOPS animals.)
- General:
A concern was raised regarding the lack of hospitality to hunting clients at OR Tambo airport. This complaint was raised due to the observed non-handling of hunting equipment and continued theft at the OR Tambo airport. PHASA indicated that the matter was causing a bad reflection for South Africa, and international hunters were beginning to view South Africa as an unsafe Tourism destination. The Forum requested DEAT to intervene in this process, since Tourism is part of DEAT’s mandate.
PHASA was requested by the Forum to draft a memorandum to the Minister regarding this concern. Ms Boshoff (DEAT) will also raise the matter at the 4D meeting as a concern from the Wildlife Forum.
DEAT informed the Forum that the moratorium on trade in White Rhino horn internationally and nationally, as well as a proposed procedure to regulate the hunting of white rhino, has been approved by the Minister.
Kind regards,
Adri Kitshoff
Vice-Chair
