New gun act ambushes hunters

2004-07-01 22:43

André Janse van Vuuren

Johannesburg - More than 100 foreign hunting tourists struggled on Thursday to stay on track of the new gun act amid huge confusion about its implications.

Tour operators at Johannesburg International were dodging difficult questions from impatient visitors who have had to wait for up to four hours to complete the paperwork for their arms.

A group of 70 hunters, who arrived on a flight from the United States, and another of at least 30 from Europe were delayed by the new regulations.

Gary Davies, executive chairperson of the Association for Professional Hunters of South Africa, said some of the tourists missed connecting flights because of the delay.

Davies said they agreed to interim measures with the police at the last moment so that the hunting tourists could meet the requirements of the law.

Although it was agreed the firearms could be brought into the country according to the old act's stipulations, the gun-owners still had to fill out the new application form.

Had to wait for two to four hours

After this, they had to go through the form with the help of a police officer and have their fingerprints taken.

"People arrive here after a 16-hour flight from the United States and then have to wait between two and four hours to be helped," said the manager of a business licensed to accompany hunters and their equipment through the reception area.

He said there were no chairs or refreshments for the applicants.

A hunter from Texas apparently said he wouldn't have come to South Africa if he had known what awaited him.

National police spokesperson André Lesch confirmed that arms permits for tourists had been awarded according to the old act.

"We'll set up clear guidelines to which visitors must stick and we'll relay them to the hunting industry," he said.

Solomon Mokgaale of the Airports Company of South Africa said they had taken note of the lack of amenities. He said Acsa would monitor the situation.

- Beeld