Issued By: South
African Police Service
CONDITIONS
FOR THE ACQUISITION, TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND USE OF BLACK POWDER FOR
PERSONAL USE
[Issued in terms of the Explosives Regulations of 1972, framed under
Section 30 of the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act no 26 of 1956)]
The
purpose of this document is to provide conditions for the acquisition,
transport, storage and use of black powder for personal use as
propellant in muzzle loaders, reloaded cartridges and other black powder
firearms.
1.
Definitions
The
following definitions will apply:
“antique
firearm” means any muzzle loading firearm manufactured before 1
January 1900, or any replica of such a firearm, as defined in section 1
of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000).
“black
powder” means a substance consisting of an intimate mixture of
charcoal or other carbon and either potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate,
with or without sulphur, and gunpowder has a similar meaning. Such black
powder is limited to those grades approved for sporting use only, and
must be packed in containers approved by the Chief Inspector of
Explosives. Black powder substitutes such as ‘Pyrodex’ are included.
“muzzle
loading firearm” means any rifle, shotgun or pistol, which is
designed to use black powder or black powder substitute, which is loaded
through the muzzle and cannot use fixed ammunition.
“personal
use” means the use of black powder in an antique firearm or other
licensed firearm by a registered black powder user, or under his or her
direct supervision, and includes the reloading of black powder
cartridges.
“registered
black powder user” means a person of 18 years and older,
registered by the Chief Inspector of Explosives to acquire, transport,
store and use black powder and who is in possession of a valid permit.
2.
Registration of Black Powder Users
Any
person who intends to acquire, transport, store and use black powder for
personal use, must be registered as a black powder user by the Chief
Inspector of Explosives.
The
following documentation must be submitted:
a.
Original completed application form for registration.
b. Certified copy of the first page of the applicant’s identity
document.
c. Original antique firearm status certificate issued by a gunsmith
registered in terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act or Firearms Control
Act.
d. If the applicant does not have any other valid firearm licences,
an original set of fingerprints on form SAPS 91(a), together with a
certified copy of a receipt for the amount prescribed for a criminal
record clearance (currently R29-00), or the original. Fingerprints must
be taken and the prescribed fee paid at the applicant’s nearest SAPS
Community Service Centre.
Details
of antique and other black powder firearms are only required for record
purposes and to support the necessity to use black powder.
Applications
may be submitted to the Chief Inspector in the following ways:
By
post: The Chief Inspector of Explosives, Private Bag X624, Pretoria,
0001
By hand: Annex Building, Department of Land Affairs, 184 Jacob Maré
Street, Pretoria.
At the nearest Explosives Unit (see list)
Registration
of licensed firearm owners will normally take place within ten (10)
working days after receiving the original application at the Chief
Inspector’s office. Registration of persons who do not have any other
valid firearm licences depends on feedback from the Criminal Record
Centre, and may take up to eight (8) weeks to finalise.
Upon
registration a letter of permission to acquire, transport, store and use
black powder, will be issued to the applicant which will allow him/her
to store a maximum of one (1) kilogram of black powder at the premises
specified on the permit. This permit will be returned by standard post
to the applicant, but may be collected by hand if pre-arranged.
3.
Transport
(Issued
in terms of Regulation 6.49 of the Explosives Regulations, 1972)
Registered
users must apply for a transport permit to acquire and transport not
more than one (1) kilogram of black powder from the nearest supplier to
his/her specified physical address on form SAPS 408(a).
Applicants
may also apply to acquire percussion caps on the same application form.
Black powder must be kept away from percussion caps during transport.
The
original application form may be submitted to the Chief Inspector’s
office or at the nearest Explosives Unit. Persons wishing to obtain a
transport permit on the application date, are advised to make an
appointment with the local inspector of explosives.
A
transport permit will be issued free of charge for not more than one (1)
kilogram of black powder in a single, once-off consignment.
No
permit is required to transport black powder between the place of
storage and place of use. Registered users may keep a copy of their
storage permits together with a copy of these conditions at hand, for
information to any authorized person, e.g. police or traffic official,
who may stop and search a vehicle.
Black
powder must be transported in its original container when being
transported from the supplier to the registered premises for storage.
Black
powder may be transported in smaller suitable containers such as
non-sparking horns, flasks and powder measures, between the place of
storage and place of use.
All
reasonable steps must be taken to prevent theft or unauthorized access
during transport.
The
original used transport permit must be returned to the Explosives Unit
where application is made for a new permit.
A
maximum of five (5) kilograms of black powder may be transported in a
private vehicle where more than one black powder user travel together.
Such a vehicle is exempted from the Chief Inspector of Explosives’
licensing requirements and the dangerous goods road transport
requirements in terms of the National Road Traffic Act and Regulations.
4.
Storage
(Issued
in terms of Regulation 8.25 of the Explosives Regulations, 1972)
Black
powder not being used, must be stored in its original container, in a
locked safe, strongroom, lockable steel cabinet or sturdy cupboard at
the specified address.
The
original storage permit must be kept in or near the storage facility.
A
maximum of three (3) kilograms of black powder may be stored where more
than one registered black powder user intends to store their powder on
the same premises.
All
reasonable steps must be taken to prevent unauthorized access to black
powder or percussion caps.
Percussion
caps must be stored separate from black powder.
5.
Use
(Issued in terms of
Regulation 10.33 of the Explosives Regulations, 1972)
Black
powder obtained in terms of these conditions may only be utilized for
personal use and in accordance with the firearm and powder
manufacturers’ specifications.
NB:
Black powder is an explosive and poses certain hazards. Users are
advised to join professional black powder associations and clubs which
will provide them with safety guidelines and procedures.
6.
Destruction and Disposal of Redundant Black Powder
The
local inspector of explosives must be contacted for advice whenever any
redundant or ‘old’ black powder must be destroyed or disposed of.
7.
General
The
Chief Inspector must be notified immediately of any of the following:
When
black powder or percussion caps are stolen or lost;
When an accident occurred during the transport, storage or use of black
powder; and
When there is a change of information of registered users, e.g. address,
new black powder firearms obtained, etc.
Written
requests for any deviation from these conditions must be properly
motivated and submitted to the Chief Inspector.
The
Chief Inspector, the State and/or its employees shall in no way be
liable for the damage, loss or injury sustained by any person or persons
which in any way, may be attributable to the use of explosives in
accordance with these conditions or otherwise.
Explosive
Units
Head
Office – Pretoria - Inspector of Explosives: Sup JJ van Staden
Annex Building, Department of Land Affairs, 184 Jacob Maré Street,
Pretoria
Tel (012) 393-2763 Fax (012) 323-1711
Western
Cape
Cape
Town - Inspector of Explosives: Sup BE Posthumus
Sunrise Complex, Jan Smuts Drive, Maitland
Tel (021) 506-2192 Fax (021) 506-2199
Mossel
Bay - Inspector of Explosives: Sup GJE Coetzee
Room 225, Plaza Aquada, 55 Marsh Street, Mossel Bay
Tel (044) 690-3771 Fax (044) 690-3774
Paarl
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt E Lourens
53A Main Street, Paarl
Tel (021) 863-1040/1 Fax (021) 836-1044
Eastern
Cape
East
London - Inspector of Explosives: Sup IPG Ferreira
12 St Peters Road, Southernwood, East London
Tel (043) 722-4080 Fax (043) 722-4080
Grahamstown
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup L Coetzee
51A Hill Street, Saamspan Building, Grahamstown
Tel (046) 622-3821 Fax (046) 622-3827
Queenstown
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt MG Gaqavu
78 Cathcart Road, Queenstown
Tel (045) 838-3878 Fax (045) 838-3877
Port
Elizabeth - Inspector of Explosives: Sup R Kunneke
Stone Street, Nashua Building, 3rd floor, North End, PE
Tel (041) 487-3177 Fax (041) 487-3176
Umtata
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup TT Zimela
Police College, Umtata
Fax (047) 505-5199
Northern
Cape
Kimberley
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup MV Khotha
51 George Street, Record Engineering Building, Kimberley
Tel (053) 838-5604 Fax (053) 831-6460
Springbok
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup WD Kotze
Magasyn Street, Springbok
Tel (027) 712-3667 Fax (027) 712-2684
Kuruman
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp K van Wyk
7 Rose Avenue, Kuruman
Tel (053) 712-3649 Fax (053) 712-2965
Upington
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp LV Louw
Unex Building, 1st floor, 36 Scott Street, Upington
Tel (054) 337-3404 Fax (054) 332-3259
De
Aar - Inspector of Explosives: Insp Nel
20 Station Street, Sequira Building, De Aar
Tel (053) 632-6400 Fax (053) 632-9407
Vryburg
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp WJ Nel
Corner Mark & De Kock Street, Vryburg
Tel (053) 927-1145 Fax (053) 927-1282
Gauteng
Krugersdorp
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup CJ Bezuidenhout
118 Commissioner Street, Krugersdorp
Tel (011) 951-1101 Fax (011) 951-1183
Germiston
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup L Botha
165 Meyer Street, Germiston
Tel (011) 871-5627 Fax (011) 871-5625
Vereeniging/Sasolburg
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup FP van der Walt
Corner Voortrekker & Stanley Street, Vereeniging
Tel (016) 450-2120 Fax (016) 450-2125
Soweto
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup EJ Wiedeman
Indaba Street, Protea, Soweto
Tel (011) 986-9951 Fax (011) 986-9550
Pretoria
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt DS Stidwell
39 Glynn Street, Colbyn, Pretoria
Tel (012) 342-9091/2/3 Fax (012) 342-9095
Free
State
Bloemfontein
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt ME Sono
Corner Aliwal & Fontein Street, Bloemfontein
Tel (051) 507-6620 Fax (051) 507-6082
Welkom
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup CM Rautenbach
St Helena, Welkom
Tel (057) 391-6866 Fax (057) 391-6835
Bethlehem
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt A Castelyn
32 High Street, Bethlehem
Tel (058) 307-5911 Fax (058) 303-7168
Mpumalanga
Secunda
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup PJ Oelofse
SAPS Building, 1 Steenkamp Street, Secunda
Tel (017) 624-2079 Fax (017) 624-2086
Nelspruit
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt P Roodt
SAPS Building, 15 Bester Street, Nelspruit
Tel (013) 759-1155 Fax (013) 759-1170
Middelburg
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp D van der Merwe
SAPS Building, 22 Joubert Street, Middelburg
Tel (013) 249-1740 Fax (013) 249-1741
North
West
Potchefstroom
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup F Crause
Santamtrust Building, 41 Potgieter Street, Potchefstroom
Tel (018) 299-7795 Fax (018) 299-7865
Mafikeng
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup MP Gopane
Vryburg Road, Mafikeng
Tel (018) 397-0067 Fax (018) 381-0123
Rustenburg
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp PH van der Merwe
125 Burger Street, Rustenburg
Tel (014) 509-4287 Fax (014) 590-4291
Brits
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt MAS Pretorius
Corner Court & Kerk Street, Brits
Tel (012) 252-5966 Fax (012) 252-6584
Limpopo
Polokwane
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup PB Grimbeek
Plot 41, Myngenoegen, Polokwane
Tel (015) 263-6690/1/2 Fax (015) 263-6993
Modimolle
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp J Herbst
Limpala Building, 100 Potgieter Street, Ground floor, Room 1, Modimolle
Tel (014) 718-7683 Fax (014) 718-7683
Musina
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt J Swarts
Beitbridge Border Post, Police Building, Office 1-3, Musina
Tel (015) 534-7458 Fax (015) 534-7421
Tzaneen
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt J Ehlers
Corner Danie Joubert & Agatha Street, Joubert Hoek Centre, 4th
floor, Tzaneen
Tel (015) 306-2091 Fax (015) 306-2097
Thohoyandou
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp TS Nemusibi
SAPS Station, 2nd floor, Mpefu Street, Thohoyandou
Tel (015) 960-1023 Fax (015) 960-1141
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup CD du Randt
4 Balance Road, Stamford Hill, Durban
Tel (031) 312-1490/99 Fax (031) 312-1536
Pietermaritzburg
- Inspector of Explosives: Sup RJ Botha
231 Loop Street, Pietermaritzburg
Tel (033) 845-2727 Fax (033) 845-2727
Newcastle
- Inspector of Explosives: Capt AW van Staden
7 Industria Road, Newcastle
Tel (034) 312-4252 Fax (034) 312-4293
Umfolozi
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp G Joubert
29 Copper Corner, Alton, Richards Bay
Tel (035) 901-5915
Umzimkulu
- Inspector of Explosives: Insp S Joubert
40 Bissett Street, Port Shepstone
Tel (039) 682-3688 Fax (039) 682-3685
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