What type of activity requires a certificate?

A Certificate of Adequate Enclosure is required by game farm owners in terms of the Game Theft Act. It is intended to regulate the ownership of game for commercial or hunting purposes in certain instances; to combat theft as well as wrongful and unlawful hunting, catching and taking into possession of game; and to provide for related matters.

Such a certificate deems the land to be sufficiently enclosed, and thus vests ownership of the game in that landowner.

Why do I need a certificate?

A Certificate of Adequate Enclosure, issued in terms of section 35 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, provides farm owners with various rights not usually afforded to other farm owners.

These rights include:

• The hunting of the species of protected wild animals specified on the certificate at any time (i.e. out of official hunting season) and by any means (i.e. including the use of prohibited hunting methods, other than fire or poison) without the prior acquisition of a permit to do so
• The capture and keeping in captivity of any animal species that appears on the certificate without having to first acquire a captivity permit
• Property owners with a Certificate of Adequate Enclosure may sell or donate any animal, or the carcass of any such animal, from the species that appear on their certificate without having to acquire a permit to do so

It is important to note that in the case of the sale or donation of any live wild animal, in addition to a letter of sale or donation from the property owner, a transport permit is still required by the recipient to transport any live wild animal from a farm that has a Certificate of Adequate Enclosure.

It is also important to note that a Certificate of Adequate Enclosure will lapse upon the transfer or lease of the land, or any portion of the land, over which that certificate was issued.

How do I go about getting a certificate?

You can either submit a completed application form and supporting documents (including proof of payment) to permits.fax@capenature.co.za, or you can apply online through the CapeNature permits portal here.

How long will it take me to get a certificate?

It will take 30 working days to get the certificate.

What is the cost of the administration fee?

The certificate costs R1 000.