Newsletters

Dear Member,

During the past week the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) one-sidedly informed the Professional Firearms Training Council (PFTC) that they have terminated the training contract between QCTO and PFTC in terms of which PFTC has conducted the proficiency training for private firearm ownership since 2013.  The contract which only ends on 30 June 2023, has been terminated without any consultation with PFTC.

PFTC was informed that the proficiency training for private firearms owners will revert to SASSETA (Security and Safety SETA).  The contract between QCTO and PFTC gave PFTC the authority to accredit training providers to conduct private firearm proficiency training and to issue SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) certificates in the form a “Statement of Results.  This was a previously very poorly executed function of SASSETA which gave rise for the mentioned contract to come into being.

The QCTO also gave notice that they will not work with any other professional body regarding proficiency training.

The reason for QCTO to one-sidedly terminating the training contract with PFTC is unclear.  The process QCTO followed to terminate the contract is seriously flawed and outside the prescripts of the Constitution in addition to the fact that it constitutes a serious breach of contract.

The South African Gun Owners’ Association (SAGA) is on record as stating that they perceive this unilateral move of the QCTO to be an attack against the firearm industry.  SAGA further states that they suspect that this illegal decision (of the QCTO) has been made due to the backlash government suffered from what SAGA describes as the recent FCA Bill debacle.  Natshoot agrees with SAGA in its evaluation of the issue.

The move back to SASSETA will undoubtedly place further time constraints on the issue of competencies.  It is a well-known fact that the contract entered into between QCTO and PFTC was exactly to counter the time delays experienced in the issuing of SASSETA certificates and to counter the very bad service delivery experience with SASSETA.

In the meantime, PFTC has entered an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court to stop QCTO from unilaterally terminating the said contract.  Indications are that the case will be heard on or just after 26 October 2021.

Natshoot supports the PFTC's urgent court application as well as any further action PFTC takes to try and rectify this travesty.

We shall keep members abreast of the outcome of the mentioned urgent court application the moment we receive the results.

In the meantime, procedures to complete proficiency training will continue as it is currently being conducted.

Remember that your current PFTC qualifications as well as your PFTC Statement of Results will always remain valid as they are underwritten by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).  The certificates thus remain valid in the same manner your matric certificate remains valid.  You can write the qualifications on your CV if you would want to because they are official qualifications.

If you have to renew competency you use your current PFTC training certificates and your PFTC Statement of Results as proof of training .  You do not have to redo any proficiency training if you have completed the process (be that with POSLEC certification or SASSETA certification or PFTC certification with their Statement of Results).

Kind regards, Natshoot Office

This Newsletter sent to all members via Email on 10-10-2001