SAGA has asked the North Gauteng High Court to declare that all ‘old Act’
(green card) firearm licences are valid licences and remain valid until the
Court, when finalizing the SA Hunters' case, changes its two-year-old ruling
or orders differently.

It became necessary to apply to the court to confirm this because - despite
the court order obtained by SA Hunters' in 2009 - the SA Police Service has
continued to process relicensing applications; granting some and refusing
others.

SAGA’s legal advisors and counsel are of the opinion that, because all green
card licences have been declared valid, where the SAPS issues ‘new Act’
licences such firearm owners then have two licences for the same weapon. If
the SAPS rejects a relicensing application, the applicant’s valid green
licence protects him/her against SAPS members’ (invalid) orders to surrender
or otherwise dispose of the firearm/s concerned.

There is also confusion about whether or not those with ‘old’ (but valid)
and ‘new’ licences for the same firearm should apply to renew the ‘new’ one
before it expires as provided for in the new Act (Firearms Control Act, 60
of 2000).

It is therefore not surprising that confusion reigns. We trust that SAGA’s
application will help clarify matters and contribute to firearm owners’
quest for fair treatment.

As the issues are complex and fairly dry and technical in nature, we
refrained from posting anything on our website until the parties’ formal
legal papers had been filed with the court. These are now available on our
website at www.saga.org.za for your information while we await a court date.

Issued: Thursday, 2 June 2011 at 09:00

Issued by: The SAGA Office  tel +27 31 5629951    fax: +27 86 5539615
For Legal requirements our physical address is given - NOT for mail
Tandjo Centre, 4 Joseph Ave, Glen Anil, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.