Police encounters in South Africa

[Green Chile]

I debated sharing these experiences but we can all learn from them. Some of you will think there is no problem in doing these things in your experience (as I used to feel) but I share them for everyone’s consideration. Some of you will think you're crazy for trying that. You will make up your own mind and do as you wish but just consider these stories as you make your decisions. This is being posted for discussion but I’m not looking for agreement…just discussion and you will make up your own mind going forward.

In the last 2 seasons, I have had 2 situations develop with SAPS (South African Police Services) at airports in South Africa. One happened at OR Tambo in Johannesburg last season and one most recently, last week at the Polokwane airport. One situation was at the beginning of the hunt and one was at the end.

 

[Green Chile]

Last season’s issue was encountered on the back end of the hunt. I had ordered some miscellaneous gun parts online and the commercial seller in Africa asked if I was going to be in Africa anytime soon. I replied, yes I’m going for a hunt this season. They said we could ship them to you or we could get them to your PH and you could fly home with them. What kind of parts are we talking about? Barrels…actions…serialed parts? No…some misc springs, bottom metal, and a safety for a BRNO project I was working on. I had scoured the internet and could only find them in South Africa. As you probably know, in Africa the barrels are serial numbered and that is the regulated piece.

So the parts were shipped to my PH by the licensed gun part dealer in South Africa and all parties knew I was going to fly home with them. I picked them up and flew from Polokwane airport back to OR Tambo for my flight home. I had them in my checked luggage but not declared on my gun permit. There is no place on the permit to declare non-serialed, unregulated parts and springs. There was no trigger, barrel, action or anything that even looked like a gun.

I checked my bags, went through the firearms process to exit Africa and went to my gate. About an hour later the counter agent who had checked my bags walked up to me and said I need you to come with me. I said what’s the problem? They didn’t really answer me and said come with me. We went through a series of doors and ended up in a very small room with no windows. In a few minutes, 7 police officers crammed into the small area with us and begin asking questions about the small package of parts in my checked luggage. They asked what they were and I replied in full honesty…misc parts that are not serial numbered for a gun…springs and odd bits of metal. They were very concerned that I was trafficking in guns somehow and questioned me for about 90 min asking the same questions in different ways. They wrote everything down in their log books and asked me to sign that. I asked what am I signing and they just pointed to the log book. They said never do this again and released me just before the flight left. Exactly what was wrong was never explained and I honestly don’t think they knew what to do but they had detained me and had to have some paperwork for their time.

 

[Green Chile]

First lesson learned here was that it wasn’t really illegal but they didn’t know how to respond to it and they detained me for it. It seemed like it hit a grey area in between the lines and they were concerned but confused by it. Second lesson was it’s very important to stay relaxed and calm. I wasn’t on my phone…I wasn’t panicking or argumentative…I answered their questions and when they repeated the question I said I already answered that and would state the same answer again. I could feel they were watching me to see if I got agitated or would lose my composure. Just stay calm.

Ok…next post will be the second situation for your consideration.

 

[Green Chile]

Ok the second situation just happened last week at Polokwane airport in Limpopo. My PH asked if I could bring some empty brass cases and bullets (heads or points as they call them) so he could reload for his 458 Lott work rifle. The reloading components he wanted were hard to find and very expensive in Africa. Of course, no problem…I’ve done it before and probably many of you have done the same for your PHs.

Again we have a scenario where the components in question cannot be listed on the rifle permit. They are not loaded ammunition. They are not regulated. They can be bought in a store by anyone in the US or Africa. I was just doing a good deed for my PH friend. I was also bringing him some empty plastic ammo boxes and miscellaneous non-regulated items to help him out.

I go through OR Tambo security upon landing and claim my bags. We open them in the SAPS office and verify the contents against the permit with serials, amounts of ammo, etc. The officer there sees the box of Hornady brass and TSX bullets and the box of bullets even breaks open. He helps me put them back in the factory cardboard box and closes up the case for me to proceed to the next flight, which is domestic to Polokwane on Airlink. Ok, done and done.

I fly into Polokwane and if you’ve been there it’s a tiny place. One gate…very few employees and a SAPS police station there. We walk the bags over to the SAPS room to clear the permits again. Remember, they’ve been cleared, signed and dated already by the OR Tambo police. It should be a formality as nothing has changed.

We clear the guns, ammo and permit again…then the officer says what’s this stuff (pointing at the empty cases and bullet boxes). My PH is standing there and says those are for reloading but they are not ammunition so they are not regulated by the permit. The officer looks confused and starts counting every piece…then gets another officer who counts every piece and asks the same questions. Clearly we have hit an obstacle. More officers come in…then they move us next door to the police station. There are 5 officers counting everything again and wondering why we have this issue. The PH explains numerous times that this is common….I brought this on his request…for his use…it’s not ammo, it’s components…there is much confusion. Then one officer gets a lightbulb moment and says this is like a bomb…say what?! Then another officer gets a flash of inspiration and says this is smuggling…and they start talking about bombs and smuggling. I remind you there is no gunpowder, primers or assembled components.

The short version is they were going to arrest me for smuggling and having bomb parts and said very strongly that the PH could go but I would be arrested and charged for these “crimes”. The PH said my client is not staying and they said yes he is. Of course the PH jumped on the phone and called someone who knew the senior police officer in town. That police boss said they needed to release us…they did not release us. Then the PH called an attorney who came to meet us on a Sunday (God bless him!). He said I will take care of this and we stood outside while he talked to the officers. Within 10 minutes, they came out laughing and said I’m happy if you’re happy. WTF? Oh, they were getting a bottle of whiskey and keeping the reloading components (to sell or throw away).

 

[Green Chile]

Lessons learned…gun parts and reloading components (brass and bullets not powder or primers) while not regulated are very confusing to SAPS. Yes, many of us have done variations of this with no issues, as have I. Something is going on at SAPS where they are having trouble understanding the laws to enforce and what is not enforced.

Also, they are clearly looking for bribes but technically to offer a bribe is also a crime. In this case, we let the lawyer sort that out.

Also and MOST importantly, if anything like this happens to you do not panic. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you miserable. I stayed calm…sat down and watched part of the soccer match on TV…walked around and read the posters on their walls…stayed off my phone…even though the more they talked about arresting me the more I felt the stress internally. Just keep calm....easier said than done!

 

[Green Chile]

Going forward I will not have unregulated parts for guns that are not on my permit...and sorry friends, but I will not be able to bring reloading components for my PH friends. This should not be a problem but it all comes down to the agent or officer you are dealing with. You will do what seems best to you but my PH said he's never asking anyone to do that again. It's just too risky.

 

[Doubleplay]

This is very typical in South Africa and happens a lot.
Most police is corrupt to the bone and they'll always try to hassle you to get a bribe if there's any little thing out of place.
As they say "what's the speed limit in South Africa? Answer is: 1000 Rands"

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Good story and thanks for sharing. In Colombia we have a saying “no des papaya” which directly translates to “don’t give papaya” but means “don’t give opportunities” (to criminals, thieves, government jackals, etc).

In my former work I attended numerous police academy graduations in foreign countries and had the opportunity to hand pick top graduates for specialty units and training. However, with few exceptions, the top graduates wanted traffic or airport jobs so they could “make real money”.

Safe travels

 

[Rare Breed]

Unfortunately that is the smart thing to do.

 

[Green Chile]

In my former work I attended numerous police academy graduations in foreign countries and had the opportunity to hand pick top graduates for specialty units and training. However, with few exceptions, the top graduates wanted traffic or airport jobs so they could “make real money”.

That's the root problem is that they are viewing the job not as service oriented but as potential side hustles. Not all officers but it's common.

We lost 1/2 a day from the hunt last week and on the first scenario almost missed my flight home. Of course if you are charged, it gets much worse than that.

 

[Red Leg]

So in fairness, I would not try to go through TSA in the states with undeclared reloading components, checked or carry-on. I also wouldn't transport anything undeclared that resembles a firearm component - bottom metal for instance?

I also never transit a third world airport without a fold of twenties in my pocket.

 

[AZDAVE]

Glad everything worked out and kudo's to you for maintaining calm.

 

[Green Chile]

So in fairness, I would not try to go through TSA in the states with undeclared reloading components, checked or carry-on. I also wouldn't transport anything undeclared that resembles a firearm component - bottom metal for instance?

I also never transit a third world airport without a fold of twenties in my pocket.

That's fair but how would you declare reloading components?

 

[Nyati]

That´s why I travel to Africa as a tourist, binoculars and camera.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Great lessons learned for everyone. I was nervous just reading the second part. I appreciate the sincerity and details. I’ve had similar instances occur, not to this level, in SA and Mexico and the key is to not panic, don’t talk too much, let people that know how to handle it help.

I had a spent shotgun shell in my backpack on the way back from Canada 3 years ago. Screener saw it on X-ray and took a while to find it. I was really nervous, but didn’t say anything. They asked me several questions, and I answered honestly about the the hunt, the ammo, and the fact that I used that backpack in the field. Ammo and shotguns were provided with the hunt. I was hoping it was something else they saw. They riffled through my backpack, turned it inside out, and it was at the very bottom tucked under the seam! The agent looked at me, and I thought; I’m in trouble, and he said “It happens often, good thing it was an empty shell” and an agent rushed me to my plane as I was the last one to board…

Not sure what would have happened if it were a live round? I felt like I got lucky and will be more careful next time.

 

[vlwtx348]

As already mentioned, both were simply shakedown attempts. I was appalled at how many times I was told "for $10 I don't have to open your gun case"

If I was going to sell my integrity, it would be for more than ten bucks.
But, if I had no integrity, I guess $10 is a windfall.

 

[Green Chile]

That´s why I travel to Africa as a tourist, binoculars and camera.

That's becoming more common. If I wasn't such a gun guy, I would do that more often. There are some places like central Africa where I would not bring my own gun. In the spring, I will not be taking my rifle to Argentina and will rent theirs.

 

[Rare Breed]

That's fair but how would you declare reloading components?

I think his point and I agree, do not bring them. Anything possible relating to gun parts or reloading supplies I would not bring to just be safe from scrutiny

 

[migrabill]

I do not think anything you did was horrible of illegal. But... I am surprised that after experiencing what you did in episode 1 - that you did episode 2.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I always give my remaining ammo and brass to my PH, so I’m not certain what happens on the return trip home with ammo. Just one less thing to consider, but clearly circumstance.