Is it allowed to operate a drone commercially at night over populated areas in South Africa without a specific waiver?

Last updated on October 2, 2025

No, South African civil aviation regulations require operators to obtain specific approvals for night operations and for flights over populous areas; the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) mandates that commercial drone pilots hold a remote pilot licence, submit operational risk assessments, and secure exemptions or permission for operations that fall outside standard visual line‑of‑sight or daylight restrictions; non‑authorized night or over‑people flights can lead to enforcement action, fines and grounding of drones; commercial operators must liaise with SACAA and local authorities to obtain the necessary approvals and follow safety management requirements.

 

https://www.caa.co.za/aircraft/uas-unmanned-aircraft-systems/

4/10/2024

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