These terms are an agreement between you and LicenseWatch ("LicenseWatch", "we", "us"). By creating an account or using LicenseWatch you agree to them. Please also read our privacy policy and disclaimer.
1. What LicenseWatch does
LicenseWatch helps you keep track of your firearm licenses and SAPS applications. It checks the public SAPS firearm status enquiry for you, explains statuses in plain language, estimates waiting times, reminds you about renewals, and offers guides and paid extras.
2. Not SAPS, and not legal advice
LicenseWatch is an independent service. We are not part of, or affiliated with, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Central Firearms Register, any firearm association, Firearms Guardian, or any dealer or training provider. Information in LicenseWatch is general guidance, not legal advice. Your legal duties as a firearm owner, such as renewing on time, remain your responsibility. See our disclaimer.
3. Your account
- You must be 18 or older and give true information.
- Keep your password safe. You're responsible for what happens in your account.
- Only add reference numbers and information you're entitled to use: your own, or, for business accounts, your clients' with their permission.
4. Free version, free trial and Pro
- Free version: tracks up to 5 applications and 10 firearms, with background SAPS checks, alerts, estimates, renewal reminders, screenshot mode and all guides.
- Free trial: new accounts get 14 days of the full version for free. No card is needed and nothing is charged when it ends. You then continue on the free version, and everything you added stays saved.
- LicenseWatch Pro (R99 once-off): unlocks the full version for the life of your account, including future updates. "For life" means for as long as LicenseWatch operates.
- Business plans (from R199 per month; a year costs the same as 10 months): for dealers and training providers to track their clients' applications. Plans differ in how many active clients they cover and how many automatic WhatsApp updates they include. A plan runs for the period you pay for and doesn't renew automatically. Buying a different plan switches to it straight away and adds the time you paid for.
- Client messages: business accounts may only add clients, and send them email or WhatsApp updates, with the client's permission.
5. Motivation services
- Motivation review (R199): a reviewer reads the motivation letter you send and emails you corrections and suggestions within 2 working days.
- Complete application pack (R399): the review, character reference templates, a form-filling guide, a document checklist and LicenseWatch Pro.
- These services help you prepare your application. They don't guarantee that SAPS will approve it, and the final application and its contents are your responsibility.
6. Prices and payment
Prices are in South African rand and include VAT where VAT applies. Payments are processed securely by PayFast. See payments, cancellations and refunds.
7. Fair use
Don't misuse LicenseWatch. That includes trying to break into it, overloading it, scraping it, using it to look up reference numbers that aren't yours (without permission), or using it for anything unlawful. We may suspend accounts that do.
8. SAPS information and availability
Status information comes from the SAPS website, which can be slow, unavailable, wrong or out of date, or can change how it works. Estimates are based on other applications and are only a guide. We work hard to keep LicenseWatch running, but we can't promise it will always be available or error-free.
9. Limitation of liability
To the extent the law allows, LicenseWatch is not liable for any loss or damage caused by relying on information in the app, a missed renewal or deadline, a refused application, or the SAPS website being wrong or unavailable. If we are found liable, our liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim. Nothing in these terms limits your rights under the Consumer Protection Act where it applies.
10. Ending your account
You can delete your account at any time under My account. We may close an account that breaks these terms, and we'll tell you why.
11. Changes and law
We may update these terms. If the changes are important, we'll tell you in the app or by email before they apply. South African law applies to these terms.