This happened to me in 2021 up on leaving Zimbabwe. It's not a conclusion.
It was the customs officers' statements to me. The shock on their faces that my ammo wasn't checked by them upon entry, as it was the same customs officers that checked me into the country.
Since I was leaving when my "illegal ammo" was discovered; narrative of their, the 2 officers side of the conversation: "...you are heading to South Africa...your...'bullets/this ammo' won't be confiscated....(first officer) just it's not allowed.../(second officer)...not allowed to use hollow point bullets.....(first officer said, please; second officer didn't say please) ....don't bring this type of ammo back....".
I made multiple apologies. Even told them that Barnes bullet company considers these are solids.
It was a little tense the first couple of minutes, but things softened as we conversed. Eventually I was forgiven and allowed to leave with all my ammo.
The thing is they were the same customs officers that checked me in and helped me with my visa, only later to find the paperwork on a third officer's desk, and had been completed prior to my arrival.
In the end, with exception to this little hiccup, entry and exit into Zimbabwe was courteous and friendly.
NOTE: ( Their words paraphrased) THE ONLY REASON (these officers) were inspecting my ammo on exit; as a courtesy to insure that I wouldn't have any complications with SAPS on re-entry into South Africa.
The excess ammo count was corrected on my copy of SAPS Forms. Using Henry Rifle Permits, I again made it through SAPS without any further problems.