Police encounters in South Africa

[JimP]

From reading this I saw that the problem came up with bringing something into SA that wasn't declared that should of been. Lesson learned.

I have only been to SA twice. Both times I used a service to get my permits approved and to walk me through the Joberg airport, neither time was there any problems. The nice thing having one of these companies walk you through is that you have a local that knows the rules and regulations and if a problem comes up you have a knowledgeable person fighting for you.

 

[Green Chile]

Yes and no Jim. I always use the permits process as you do. If you read the original posts, there was no issue at OR Tambo and their SAPS saw the brass/bullets and made no comment. The issue was after that at the next airport.

Terminology matters and there is no declaration form for brass/bullets. It's not ammo by legal definition. When I asked how you declare something like components, that's a rhetorical question. You can't declare what isn't provided for on the forms or where does it end? You can disagree with my declaration comments but the lawyer that came to help us specifically referenced that and how it was not to be declared since the form didn't provide or ask for that info. Do you declare your watch, iPad and boots or are you smuggling them in 1 at a time?

 

[BRICKBURN]

I might be mistaken, but I have a faint picture in my mind from an older thread, that you are not exactly the most inconspicuous looking? And would stick out head and shoulders above most people in that gate area?

Just a tad. 201cm and the weight to carry it along. It is funny how irritation in my voice and on my face carry pretty quickly to the more diminutive folks.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I can't imagine what would have happened if your PH wasn't present? Not sure if this point was made already, but it definitely makes a difference to have someone with you.

There was a major accident on the freeway before the airport that had us backed up in traffic for almost an extra hour for my flight out of SA this Sept. My PH came with me into the airport just to help with my gear and see me off. We got locked in the small office room upstairs where the SAPS guys wanted to check my rifle numbers and permit. The damned door handle wasn't functioning after it closed and for a moment I thought I might miss my flight because they were acting like they didn't know what to do! They were acting like they had no one to call and just kept screwing with the door handle. Finally another SAPS officer/agent came and opened the door from the outside. Henk and I were just staring at each other in disbelief... Having him there lessoned the tension for me. I still had plenty of time, but it was uncomfortable.

 

[Rare Breed]

From reading this I saw that the problem came up with bringing something into SA that wasn't declared that should of been. Lesson learned.

I have only been to SA twice. Both times I used a service to get my permits approved and to walk me through the Joberg airport, neither time was there any problems. The nice thing having one of these companies walk you through is that you have a local that knows the rules and regulations and if a problem comes up you have a knowledgeable person fighting for you.

no better money spent!

 

[Doug Hamilton]

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"

This reminds me of my last trip to Zimbabwe in 2024. I had no issues in SA but in Zim a female officer went through my gear then asked if I wanted to leave a "tip." I asked why she asked. She said, " The guys appreciate it." Since they had already handled my things, I said "no" and moved on with the PH who was waiting I know Africa isn't the US, but I was still a little surprised that someone in uniform would blatantly ask for a bribe in front of other people. I even thought that they may had been looking to extort more money for bribing an official. Nothing happened, but it was weird. I hadn't seen this in Africa before and wonder if things are getting worse.