Sunday, February 16, 2025

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Firearm training shake-up puts 42 000 jobs and public safety at risk, firearms training council warns

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The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) is moving to take control of firearms instructor training and qualifications in South Africa from the Professional Firearms Trainers Council (PFTC), a shift that could destabilise the entire firearms industry, the PFTC has warned.

“This change threatens the processing of thousands of essential security provider and private gun owner licenses that are issued each year, impacting both businesses and individuals who rely on timely and effective training,” the PFTC said in a statement.

It added that the potential consequences of SASSETA’s move are far-reaching. “It puts the employment of thousands of skilled firearms assessors at risk and could weaken South Africa’s ability to maintain high standards in firearm training. Lower standards of training and assessment could also compromise public safety across the country.”

The Professional Firearms Trainers Council (PFTC), which is currently the recognised body responsible for private sector firearms training accreditation, has taken legal action to prevent this change. The PFTC has filed court applications to protect its High Court-appointed mandate to ensure the quality and professionalism of firearm training in South Africa, it said.

In addition to its legal actions, the PFTC has raised concerns with the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, about the poorly developed training programme proposed by SASSETA. The PFTC remains committed to maintaining high standards in the firearms training industry and will continue to oppose any changes that could lower these standards and put public safety at risk, it said.

“As far as the PFTC is aware, this programme aims to replace the current professional firearms training standard, Qualification 50480. According to the PFTC, neither SASSETA nor the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) have consulted with the PFTC or other key stakeholders in the firearms training sector. As the recognised accreditor of firearms training in South Africa, the PFTC plays a critical role in upholding the quality and professionalism of firearm training,” the PFTC stated.

It further warned that if SASSETA gains control of firearms training and licensing for self-defence and security purposes, it could have a “devastating impact” on the South African firearms industry. “This change could not only compromise the quality of training but also jeopardise public safety. Additionally, over 42 000 jobs at 500 accredited training providers across the country are at risk.”

Tebogo Kwape, Chairperson of the PFTC, stressed the importance of collaboration in any changes to firearms training standards, and insists that input from industry experts is vital. “Our efforts to engage with SASSETA about the future of our industry have been ignored, and this unsanctioned proposal will have serious consequences for public safety,” he explained.

Since 2017, the PFTC has gathered input from stakeholders and held meetings to address this realignment, but representatives from SASSETA and QCTO didn’t attend, it said. As of 30 June 2024, the PFTC’s authority to oversee Qualification 50480 has expired, and no new qualification has been approved. This leaves learners unable to complete the training they need for jobs or self-defence firearm licensing, the PFTC stated.

Kwape said it seems like the QCTO wants to remove their role and give it back to SASSETA, “which lacks the resources to handle it effectively. Without an approved replacement for Qualification 50480, there is a risk that training standards will drop, putting public safety in danger.”

The PFTC stressed the importance of working together to maintain high standards in firearms training, to prevent a decline in safety that could harm the public.

Background to Qualification 50480

In 2000, the government asked POSLEC SETA, now known as SASSETA, to create standards for firearm qualifications. However, the initial standards did not meet the requirements of the Firearms Control Act. To fix this, the broader firearms industry worked together to develop the Qualification 50480, which was approved by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and has been used ever since.

In 2005, POSLEC SETA was renamed SASSETA, but ongoing delays in certification caused frustration within the industry. To help with maintaining high training standards, the Professional Firearms Trainers Council (PFTC) was established in 2013. Since then, the PFTC has overseen training at almost 500 providers.

In 2016, a change was proposed by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) to shift from the old unit standards to a new system. The PFTC was asked to update the firearm training qualification to fit these new rules. While SASSETA initially supported the PFTC, it later excluded the council from key meetings. Despite submitting an updated qualification in 2017 and again in 2023, the QCTO has still not reviewed it, the PFTC explained.

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