28 January 2000

1. About the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa

The Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) is recognised as the official mouthpiece of South Africa’s professional hunting fraternity. Established in 1978, it maintains an active secretariat in Pretoria, and currently has some nine hundred plus members.

PHASA's main objectives are: to foster the conservation of South Africa's wildlife and flora resources, to support proper wildlife management and utilization, to assist and promote ethical hunting in South Africa, to promote high quality service and ethical standards among members, etc. The objects of the Association, as stated in its Constitution are:

- to institute and secure the general adoption of high and sportsmanlike conception of wildlife and the hunting of game

- consistently with the practice of hunting, to promote and assist in the conservation of the fauna and flora of South Africa, and to keep the sport of shooting clean and wholesome

- to collaborate with the officers of the game departments, national parks, game reserves and game conservation areas in South Africa, and to assist them in the execution of their duties in regard to the conservation of flora and fauna generally

- to prevent the illegal and/or unsportsmanlike disturbance, destruction and/or molestation of fauna and flora by members of the Association and/or their clients and/or their employees

- to prevent and punish illegal and unsportsmanlike practices in the hunting of fauna, and to encourage, promote and insist upon honorable and sportsmanlike conduct generally in the practice of the profession and sport of hunting

- to provide at all times proper and professional service, equipment, vehicles, accommodation, staff, etc. of a high standard for hire or reward to local and visiting overseas sportsmen

PHASA's future vision is to be the leading professional hunting authority, optimizing the wildlife and professional hunting potential of South Africa to the benefit of all stakeholders and the community at large in an appropriate and sustainable manner, thereby conserving the resource base for generations to come.

2. Tourism and Hunting
1. The tourism industry has been identified by Government as the most important vehicle through which the countries development and economy can be improved and sustained.
2. The South African tourism industry is based on wildlife. Over 90% of visiting tourist come to SA to see our wild animals.
3. Tourism has the greatest potential for creating wealth and job opportunities in SA
4. International hunting guests are the clients of our PHASA members and are the most important tourists to visit SA because

• hunters spend up to 30 times more than the average tourist whilst visiting our country
• hunters create employment and contribute to the upliftment of our poorest of poor rural areas that are not visited by normal tourists
• hunters are the most adventurous of our tourists and income generated through hunting is used to develop or open up areas for eco-tourism
• hunters are the most important ambassadors in recommending SA as a prime tourist destination to the associates, friends and families
• hunting is the most important management tool in the conservation of our wildlife resources and the habitats required to sustain our magnificent wild animals
• hunters are the foundation or anchor to the wildlife industry in SA. Without wildlife there will be no tourism in SA.

2. Proposed new Firearms Bill
1. PHASA is opposed to legislation that:

• is unconstitutional and provides almost limitless powers to politicians and bureaucrats to take away firearm licenses without being given the benefit of a fair trial of hearing.
• Creates unnecessary harassment and burdens to the State, Hunters, and international clients without achieving the objectives of eliminating crime in our country.
• Will have a negative impact on the economy of our country and our ability to earn foreign currency in the remote rural areas
• Cause a loss of jobs in the poorest of poor rural areas of SA
• Impact negatively on the conservation of our wildlife and tourism in SA

1. Specific Problems
0. Firearms are the tools of our trade i.e. the means of earning our living. PHASA members have a right to firearm ownership, subject to reasonable regulation of that right. The new Act presumes that hunters do not need firearms unless they can prove to the contrary to the Registrar who has absolute authority. This effectively gives the Registrar the right to take away the tools of our trade as and when he sees fit. PHASA rejects the requirement to prove the need for a firearm.
1. PHASA rejects the need for our members to have to relicence firearms every two years. Professional hunters are classified together with security firms who need to relicence firearms every two years. This is unnecessary, as no members of our association have ever been involved in violent crime using their hunting rifles.
2. PHASA is strongly opposed for the need for visiting hunting clients to satisfy the Registrar that:

• he or she is a fit and proper person to hold an import permit for his firearms and ammunition i.e. his equipment required for his safari in SA
• Unless directed otherwise no import or export or transit permit may be issued in respect of any firearms or ammunition that does not bear identification marks as prescribed.

No foreign clients have ever been involved in violent crime in our country and they are the most valuable clients visiting our country. It is therefore totally unnecessary to make it more difficult for them to visit our country with their safari equipment. These valued guests will merely go hunting in other places in the world where they do not have to satisfy the Registrar that they are fit and proper persons to hold a permit in order to import or have a firearm in transit. Some weapons used by our clients also do not have identification marks as prescribed.

3.3 PHASA would support a workable, sensible system of firearm regulations that will curb criminal use and abuse of firearms. There is support for a workable system of control over lawful firearm ownership and use that achieves these objectives.

We therefore formally request for a hearing with the Parliamentary Committee with regard to this proposed new Act.

Barry York
Executive Member