South African Group Launches Court Bid to Block Arms Exports to United States

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre filed an application in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 2 June 2026 to suspend or set aside arms export permits granted by South Africa’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee. The respondents named in the case are the chairperson of the NCACC, the minister of defence, and the president of South Africa.

SALC is a public interest law organisation working across Southern Africa on constitutional and human rights litigation.

SALC argues that the NCACC may have failed to properly apply the standards set out in South Africa’s National Conventional Arms Control Act. The legislation requires authorities to refuse or withdraw permits where there is a risk that arms exports could contribute to human rights violations or undermine international peace and security.

The organisation contends that ongoing arms exports to the United States may not comply with these requirements and raises concerns about their broader implications in the current global security environment.

U.S. dollars to the United States in 2025. SALC says it had previously raised concerns with authorities regarding the permits but did not receive a substantive response.

The case is the first in South Africa to challenge arms exports to a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on the basis of international law and human rights concerns, according to the group. South Africa’s arms export system is regulated under national legislation and overseen by the NCACC. A hearing date has not yet been set.

The High Court has not ruled on the merits of the application. At the time of the news release, the government had not issued a public response.