South Africa’s Drone Regulatory Journey

Haafizah states that the South African regulatory framework for drones, established by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), is relatively new. In 2015, the SACAA introduced comprehensive regulations for remotely piloted aircraft systems, making South Africa one of the first African countries to formalise the use of drones due to increased adoption in the private and commercial sectors.

Haafizah explains that the regulations distinguish between private and commercial use. Private use includes recreational activities, while commercial use includes activities aimed at financial gain. Users must adhere to specific parameters for each category, including licensing requirements, altitude restrictions and no-fly zones.

However, Haafizah explains that failure to comply with the regulations can result in penalties such as fines or imprisonment. For example, commercial drone users operating without the required licenses or SACAA authorisation can be fined up to R50 000 or imprisoned for up to ten years.