Drones in the Drakensberg Park

As I understand and explained to me, its only the KZN side of the Park (World Heritage Site), that's a no fly zone - in Lesotho, Mnweni and and Witsieshoek does not fall in this category - maybe some one know if this is true. This grey area is that seems to give people reason to believe they can fly their drones. 

Like one of the locals told me - maybe it must be allowed as it helps promote the area. This just showed me that there is always going to be a lot of people who want it as much as there is people that will pose it. 

Drones are illegal in the Drakensberg National Park (not Mnweni if hobby rules are adhered to) Any videos or photos on the internet or photos of them flying are sufficient proof for investigation and prosecution. It is also up to the public to lay charges against these illegal drone operators or to supply the Wildlife Authorities with the necessary information. A case has to be opened at a police station with a case number. A form from the South African Civil Aviation Authorities needs to be filled in as they work together with the SAPS. A detective will be assigned to this investigation and if the transgressor is guilty, they will most definately receive a fine...up to 20 different charges (criminal codes) at R50 000.00 per charge. During the process the witness can stay anonymous. If anyone needs the necessary forms and documents, please give me a call at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  All the new criminal codes were activated at all police stations on the 01/03/2022 and before this time it was not possible to fine illegal drone operators.

Richard, et al

Please can you provide proof of your photographic permits for any/all of you personal photography and happy snaps taken in national parks.

"In terms of Regulation 20(1)(a) of the regulations under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, nobody may in a national park undertake "the filming and simultaneous transmitting of photographic images by the use of a webcam or other image recording or transmitting device", unless a filming permit has been obtained.

The use of any of the cinematographic film or photographs contained on 'this' (sanparks.org) website, or any cinematographic film or photographs obtained from any National Park, without the necessary permit, is unlawful."

wrote:

If I was caught flying my drone in the Drakensberg Park without an Ezemvelo permit and flight plan...they would immediately take my drone pilots license away. 

Sounds more like you are crying about being the only one that can be caught / have any recourse and how dare the common hiker/pleb get away with substandard footage and you are not able to post any of your content...

uhhhh, by implication a camera of any sort is an image recording device. The letter of the law could be interpreted to outlaw taking photographs without a permit.

Always useful to check that you are not in a glass house

wrote:

wrote:

uhhhh, by implication a camera of any sort is an image recording device. The letter of the law could be interpreted to outlaw taking photographs without a permit.

Always useful to check that you are not in a glass house

"the filming and simultaneous transmitting of photographic images by the use of a webcam or other image recording or transmitting device"

Yes a camera records an image but does it transmit the image to the public at the same time?
I would suggest you look up the words bolded above.
If someone had to do a live social media video feed then that could fall into this category, but not taking a photo and then sharing it
 

Well, strictly speaking, which almost everyone on this thread is doing, almost every camera released in the last 5 years has WiFi built in. Legislation does not say "to the public" but only "transmitting". When I take an image my camera is connected to my phone and images are transmitted automatically, which according to the rules is illegal. I know this is trifle, but that is what is being discussed here. The main problem here is that legislation has not kept up with technology.

Honestly, people know when they are doing something wrong or not. Secondly, no amount of talking online is going to change attitudes. My honest thoughts: whatever you do, just make sure you are not lessening or detracting from others' experiences in the berg. 

Peace 

Hey Whodat,  what is your actual opinion on drone usage in wilderness areas?

If you want your opinion to be taken seriously on this forum, try read the room and note that the general level of discussion on this forum is more constructive than destructive.