Here is an email from Louis at the Afton Guest House I just received. Thought that it might help those that are going there soon. Remember that the SAPS office has been moved as of the first of February.



The Gun permits go better, however there are other new problems now.

Hunters are followed by the security guys and then they DEMAND money.

Yesterday one of the security officers at the airport told an in transit passenger from the US to WDH that there was a problem with his firearms and he demanded $50.00US. Fortunately the hunter asked for a receipt for the money and they caught the security guy.



Another problem is that when they (the SAPS) issue the firearm permits they write the incorrect serial number on the permit. Usually they make a 6 look like a G or vice versa.

When the hunter leaves, suddenly the Securicor Guys discover the mistake and they make a big issue out of it.

They really hammer the poor Hunter. They know the hunter is desperate to have his firearms on the flight and they take the hunter quickly down to the police to change the G back to a 6 or the 6 back to a G, They get a new stamp on the permit to make it very official. Now for all this effort and the wonderful service, the hunter is more than willing to pay $50.00 or what ever they ask.

Are these guys working together?
We had 2 incidents affecting our guests in about 4 days



Someone also reported to me that that on Monday Optima charged 2 hunters $280.00 US just for meeting them and to walk them over to Domestic Departure.



Please advise all your clients NOT to pay the Security guys, or the SAPS any money for the service they provide, if they insist for money, the hunter must ask for a receipt for the money and report it immediately to the SAPS commander at Johannesburg International Airport Director B. M. Zuma at 0827789639 or Superintendent SB Mhlangu at 0835894220



VERY IMPORTANT



PLEASE ADIVSE YOUR CLIENTS NOT TO USE OPTIMA, THEY CANT DO ANYTHING FOR THEM ANYMORE. THE NEW SAPS OFFICE IS OUTSIDE CUSTOMS ON THE LANDSIDE





Louis and Annelise









Here is some notes from PHASA’s website.



THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS.

f. Keep your import permit in your possession;
g. Your firearm will be placed on the aircraft by the airline security;
h. Collect your firearm from the airline security desk at your domestic destination.



e. Your firearms and ammunition will be physically inspected to ensure the serial numbers match those of the licenses and the application forms. You will then be asked to wait while your application is being processed – if you are not in the possession of an already issued temporary importation permit.

f. When your application has been processed and your permit has been issued you will have to sign for the permit. If you are connecting to other flights, please make sure that you allow ample time for this process.

or

g. The actual firearms and ammunition will be physically inspected to verify details against the already issued temporary importation permit and those of the licenses.

h. Once this is established you are free to leave with your weapons.

REMEMBER THE ISSUING OF THE TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMITS AT THE PORT OF ENTRY IS FREE OF CHARGE. DO NOT TIP OR PAY ANY SAPS OFFICER FOR THIS SERVICE.

5. Domestic flight connections at Johannesburg International Airport:

a. Exit the international terminal building;
b. Turn left. The domestic terminal is +- 500 meters away on the left-hand side;
c. At the domestic terminal, go to the second floor – domestic departures. Check in for your domestic flight;
d. Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint;
e. The airline security will check the serial number on your firearms and your temporary import permit.

THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS.

f. Keep your import permit in your possession;
g. Your firearm will be placed on the aircraft by the airline security;
h. Collect your firearm from the airline security desk at your domestic destination.

6. International flight connections at Johannesburg International Airport:

If you have an international connecting flight you will have to do the following:

a. Use the elevator to go to the international departure hall;
b. Check in for your international flight;
c. Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint;
d. The airline security will check the serial no. of your firearms and your temporary import permit.
e. Your firearm will be placed on the aircraft by the airline security.

7. Other ports of entry:

For those clearing customs at any of the other international ports of entry, please take note of the relevant suggestions made above which relate to documentation, requirements, etc.

THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS SERVICE.

8. On your final departure from South Africa:

On your final departure you will have to do the following:

a. Check in for your international flight;
b. Your rifle case will be tagged and you will be required to take it to the airline security desk that is situated just before the security checkpoint;

On your final departure from South Africa the temporary import permit must be handed back when you check in your rifle case.

The airline security will check the serial no. of your firearms and your import permit.

THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY AIRLINE OR SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THIS SERVICE.

9. Report Corruption:

If anybody involved in the above-mentioned process asks you for money that person is trying to solicit a bribe from you. This is a criminal offence!! Every person involved in the firearms handling process is in possession of an ACSA access card with his/her name and photograph. If a person tries to bribe you, ask them for their ACSA permit and make a note of their name.

Report it immediately to the South African Police Service. If it is a South African Police Service member that asks for money, report it immediately or as soon as possible to the Client Service Centre in the multi storey parking area or any other SA Police Station. If any SA Police Service member refuses to take down your complaint or does not give you a case reference no. contact the SAPS commander at Johannesburg Internationl Airport Director B. M. Zuma at 0827789639 or Superintendent SB Mhlangu at 0835894220.

Screw them!!! There are OTHER places to hunt
and I will go to them.

Sounds like very good advice from the wonderful people @ Afton Guest House

Now it would ALSO make sense if SAA whom is the prime carrier for USA hunters flying ex: USA to JIA to actually broadcast this scam information or is that not allowed in the interests of privacy !!! there must be some way to inform hunters on the incoming flights about the scenario prior to touchdown as NOT all hunters know about AR Africa forum

General thought / QUESTION

I wonder how far off it is for THE AIRLINES to ban all rifles on their planes under the auspicies of some UN edict !!! is this possibly going to happin in the (not to distant) future OR does the hunting lobby have enough power to prevent it ?

Peter

why would anyone with any sanity continue to take rifles into RSA when you could skip all this BS and learn to hunt with a bow & arrow or rent a rifle?

Robo: Thanks for the valuable and current update from our friends at Afton House. This is one reason why AR is a very valuable website.

quote:

Originally posted by Robo:
Another problem is that when they (the SAPS) issue the firearm permits they write the incorrect serial number on the permit. Usually they make a 6 look like a G or vice versa.

When the hunter leaves, suddenly the Securicor Guys discover the mistake and they make a big issue out of it.

They really hammer the poor Hunter. They know the hunter is desperate to have his firearms on the flight and they take the hunter quickly down to the police to change the G back to a 6 or the 6 back to a G, They get a new stamp on the permit to make it very official. Now for all this effort and the wonderful service, the hunter is more than willing to pay $50.00 or what ever they ask.

They did this to me last May. I simply told them that I didn't know how the SAPS officer messed it up, and kinda "played dumb" (OK, maybe I am) and he "let me go with a warning" But he was sure to say that he could take me down to the police station and put me in jail.

Is this an argument for "preapproval"?
Peter.

Peter,

How might one obtain a "valid" preapproval in Africa? On anything?

DB