What is an Endorsement:
It’s a document which can only be issued by accredited hunting & sport shooting associations in which they, on technical merit and evaluation, issue a formal statement to SAPS (CFR) that the firearm a specific application refers to, is suited for the intended purpose mentioned in the applicant`s motivation attached to his/her firearm licence application.
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NHSA will gladly issue endorsements to paid-up members who apply for licences for handguns, hunting and sport-shooting rifles, shotguns, and semi-automatic rifles/carbines. Provided that the use of the specific firearm is in line with the prescripts of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000) and its Regulations (2004); and/or does not infringe on the values NHSA ascribes to, re hunting as described in our Hunters’ Code
Applicants must please fill out the applicable application form on the Endorsements Page of their their personal Natshoot Member Portal - see How To access your Natshoot Member Portal Here.
Applicants must also please attach the motivation they will submit to SAPS with application at the relevant button at the bottom of the endorsements applications page (see the Browse button) (please upload only the motivation, not all documents you will submit).
Without the motivation no endorsement can be issued.
NHSA has to protect the integrity of its accreditation with SAPS and cannot issue endorsement without knowing what it is we endorse, and without NHSA being in a position to in court, convincingly argue the reasons for issuing a specific endorsement.
There are a number of legal issues, which we have to be cognisant of, as members could compromise themselves and NHSA unwittingly. There are also instances where members’ motivations just don’t make the grade and we can then assist with suggestions or examples to better their motivations and in so doing, try and help them to be successful with their applications.
We are not in the business of writing motivations. Your motivation is kept on our secure data system for reference purposes only, in the event that SAPS might enquire as to the reasons for NHSA issuing the relevant endorsement.
Applications are handled by experts who read through each motivation before endorsements are issued – we make suggestions as to possible corrections but it remains your choice to accept the advice or not. Endorsements are usually issued within 48 hours from receipt of application (not uncommonly much quicker).
Examples of motivations can be found on our website - Click HERE
EXCLUSIONS
Members must please ascertain that they are up to date with their annual membership, and dedicated members must please ascertain that they are up to date with their compulsory annual activity reports before an endorsement will be issued (they must thus be compliant for the preceding year - see your personal Activities page on your Personal Natshoot Member Portal).
We
advise that when members apply for new or renewal of licences they
ascertain that they are paid-up at least 8 months in advance from the
date they submit the application so that SAPS cannot decline an
application on grounds that membership has expired or will expire
shortly when they evaluate the application.
We only issue endorsement for hunting handguns in internationally excepted handgun hunting calibres. For reasons of ethics in hunting, we do not endorse semi-auto pistols for hunting purposes (exception is the Desert Eagle in .44 calibre).
We do, however, endorse pistols and revolvers in smaller calibres as hunting carry-guns for protection against snakes and other vermin while hunting and for the coup de grace shots (final death shot - "genade skoot"), but that must be clearly stated in the motivation.
We only issue endorsements for semi-auto rifles for purposes of dedicated sports shooting.
If applicants need an endorsement for a semi-auto for hunting purposes we shall only issue same if the applicant can provide proof that s/he is the owner (or co-owner) of an exempted game ranch; and if the applicant can furnish proof that s/he has permission from his/her relevant provincial nature conservation authority to use a semi-auto for game management purposes on said game ranch (farm).
We do, however, issue endorsements if the firearm for which the endorsement is requested is clearly a hunting rifle with a semi-auto action. Proof of such a firearm must be clearly indicated in the motivation though (assault rifles and carbines are not hunting rifles).
BY ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
1 MARCH 2016
13 JANUARY 2021