Renewal of Competency Certificates

**SSP** · 22-01-2010, 11:53

I have to renew my competency certificates this year.

No form appears on the SAPS website.

I called the call centre and was advised by Sgt. Buys that no form appears because no form exists. Indeed, no function exists on their system to deal with competency certificate renewals.

His view is that ones certificate will remain valid until the system is fixed or you certificate is revoked.

Not convinced.

More to follow.

**Brendank** · 22-01-2010, 12:01

Originally Posted by SSP

I have to renew my competency certificates this year.

No form appears on the SAPS website.

I called the call centre and was advised by Sgt. Buys that no form appears because no form exists. Indeed, no function exists on their system to deal with competency certificate renewals.

His view is that ones certificate will remain valid until the system is fixed or you certificate is revoked.

Not convinced.

More to follow.

Hmmmm... another example of how the act is flawed. The sooner the FCA is thrown out, the better.

**kurly** · 22-01-2010, 12:02

Isn't this an issue that should be sent to the newspapers etc to highlight the inefficiencies of the system

**SSP** · 22-01-2010, 12:06

It's not really an indication that the act is flawed but rather that it's implementation is ineffective and incomplete.

I spoke to my DFO. She phones CFR weekly to request instructions and guidelines to no avail.

What they are doing is accepting applications on the new app form (517), collecting them and giving receipts to show youve applied.

The apps can't be captured though. Once the system says that you have a particular certificate you can't capture a new app for the same category.

**shooter** · 22-01-2010, 12:06

The probably thought no gun owners would be left by now so why bother creating a form.

**malcolmw** · 22-01-2010, 12:57

I used the form SAPS 518(a) which is for "Application for the renewal of a firearm licence, permit, certificate or authorization"
R70 + 2 photos, copy of ID and both sides of competency certificate.
I also included a motivation and copies of all training certificates just in case.

This is what I was told to use by the Firearms Call Centre. It may be the wrong form. I put "renewal of competency certificate" in the section for details of the "original licence, permit, certificate or authorization" (section c5).

I have my receipt and SAP 86 reference number.

SAPS 517(a) only has provision for "TYPE OF FURTHER COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE (Indicate with an X)". Can a renewal be considered as a further competency?

My impression was that, as with the whole faulty ACT, knowbody knows what to do.

**SSP** · 22-01-2010, 14:25

Originally Posted by malcolmw

I used the form SAPS 518(a) which is for "Application for the renewal of a firearm licence, permit, certificate or authorization"
R70 + 2 photos, copy of ID and both sides of competency certificate.
I also included a motivation and copies of all training certificates just in case.

This is what I was told to use by the Firearms Call Centre. It may be the wrong form. I put "renewal of competency certificate" in the section for details of the "original licence, permit, certificate or authorization" (section c5).

I have my receipt and SAP 86 reference number.

SAPS 517(a) only has provision for "TYPE OF FURTHER COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE (Indicate with an X)". Can a renewal be considered as a further competency?

My impression was that, as with the whole faulty ACT, knowbody knows what to do.

Interesting. It seems as though the DFO's are trying to "make a plan" in the absence of guidelines and documents. They are to be commended for this.

I was, by the way, refering to the 517 and not the 517(a).

As a matter of interest where is your renewal application in the process?

**malcolmw** · 22-01-2010, 14:50

Originally Posted by SSP

As a matter of interest where is your renewal application in the process?

I think it is at the CFR. I checked two days ago and it was no longer at Province. I also submitted an application for a further comptency for a self loading rifle on the same day. (10 Dec). I was told this was being returned to Province on 13 Jan. A Section 21 application I also handed in at the same time which was at Province has now been lost and is no longer on the system.

It could be the renewal they are returning. I will go see the DFO next week and try find out.

**SSP** · 22-01-2010, 14:57

S21's appear to be habitually and deliberately "lost" these days.

Please keep us updated about your competency renewal.

**malcolmw** · 22-01-2010, 15:06

Originally Posted by SSP

S21's appear to be habitually and deliberately "lost" these days.

Please keep us updated about your competency renewal.

I will do so.

I have got 5 applications and renewals I follow up on each week.

My notes of all the calls and copies of the applications fill three old briefcases.