Live ammo lands businessman in customs pickle

MBABANE – Transporting live ammunition by air is a peril that nearly landed an American businessman in jail in Swaziland last week. Hunting is big business in SA and southern Africa, with SA ranked first amongst world destinations in a survey of international travellers by Hunting Report. Zimbabwe was the second most popular destination, with Namibia and Tanzania tied for the third spot. Hunting weapons and ammunition are airfreight staples. Keith Brian Gardner, 56, of California apparently acquired 100 rounds of live ammunition in Swaziland, where he was investigating properties, and perhaps felt Swazi customs at the country’s international airport wouldn’t notice the ammo in his luggage. An SA businessman came to court to testify that Gardner was part owner of a game park in Polokwane, where the ammo was destined. Gardner was fined for failing to acquire a licence with Swazi police to own the ammunition and for failing to declare the rounds at the airport. Had Gardner made it to OR Tambo airport, which is the only destination for commercial f lights out of Swaziland, he would have been permitted to bring up to 200 rounds of ammunition into the country as well as all manner of hunting guns and rif les excluding military-style weapons. Hunting bows may be f lown in without special permit. Guns and ammo must be handled by airlines as special cargo, and a special fee for the service is levied. The owner signs a receipt for the guns with the airline upon arrival at OR Tambo Airport and declares the weaponry at the South African Police Firearms Department, where a Temporary Import Permit, SAP 520, is issued, good for six months. If this permit is not obtained in advance via the Professional Hunter’s Association of South Africa, a wait of up to five hours can be expected at the airport. However, air carriers no longer accept hunting trophies as air freight cargo. Taxidermists have stuffed too many illegal drugs and other contraband into mounted heads.