Private investigator licensing in Eswatini
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Eswatini.
Eswatini has no separate private investigator statute, but private investigation is a licensed trade under the Trading Licences Order, 1975, which bars anyone from conducting a business except under a licence (s. 5). Legal Notice No. 149 of 2006 lists 'Private Investigator / Freelancer Journalist' as item 9 of the trading licence schedule, covering anyone who, as principal or as an agent or employee, carries on business by instituting investigations, obtaining information or tracing persons on another person's instructions. The category already appeared in the 1994 schedule (Legal Notice No. 36 of 1994). Applications go in writing to the licensing officer for the district (s. 7), and licences expire on 31 December each year (s. 11). No later schedule was found, but it is not confirmed that the 2006 schedule is still the current one.2
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How to get licensed1
- 1
Apply in writing to the licensing officer for the district where the business will run, giving name, nationality, amount to be invested and any financial interests of others (Trading Licences Order s. 7)
- 2
Pay the licence fee for item 9 (Private Investigator / Freelancer Journalist)
- 3
Display the licence at the licensed premises and renew it before 31 December each year
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Eswatini.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Citizenship
- Not restricted by the Order, but the application must state the applicant's nationality and, for a company or partnership, that of its shareholders or partners (s. 7(2)(b))1
- Fees
- E150 licence fee for item 9 under the 2006 schedule (the scanned gazette reads 'El 50.00')2Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Renewal
- Licence expires 31 December of the year for which it was granted and may be renewed yearly (s. 11)1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Eswatini
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Eswatini?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Eswatini. Eswatini has no separate private investigator statute, but private investigation is a licensed trade under the Trading Licences Order, 1975, which bars anyone from conducting a business except under a licence (s. 5). Legal Notice No. 149 of 2006 lists 'Private Investigator / Freelancer Journalist' as item 9 of the trading licence schedule, covering anyone who, as principal or as an agent or employee, carries on business by instituting investigations, obtaining information or tracing persons on another person's instructions. The category already appeared in the 1994 schedule (Legal Notice No. 36 of 1994). Applications go in writing to the licensing officer for the district (s. 7), and licences expire on 31 December each year (s. 11). No later schedule was found, but it is not confirmed that the 2006 schedule is still the current one.
Who licenses private investigators in Eswatini?+
District licensing officers designated by the Minister for Commerce (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade), under the Trading Licences Order, 1975, under Trading Licences Order, 1975 (King's Order in Council No. 20 of 1975); Trading Licences (Amendment of Schedules) Regulations Notice, 2006 (Legal Notice No. 149 of 2006), Schedule item 9 'Private Investigator / Freelancer Journalist'.
How often does a Eswatini PI licence need renewing?+
Licence expires 31 December of the year for which it was granted and may be renewed yearly (s. 11)
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Eswatini?+
E150 licence fee for item 9 under the 2006 schedule (the scanned gazette reads 'El 50.00')
How do you get a private investigator licence in Eswatini?+
1. Apply in writing to the licensing officer for the district where the business will run, giving name, nationality, amount to be invested and any financial interests of others (Trading Licences Order s. 7) 2. Pay the licence fee for item 9 (Private Investigator / Freelancer Journalist) 3. Display the licence at the licensed premises and renew it before 31 December each year
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