PETITION - NO CASH FOR SCRAP
PETITION
NO CASH FOR SCRAP
THE ISSUE
𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐘
The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry contends that cable theft costs South Africa's economy between R5 billion and R7 billion annually. With these staggering financial figures and the targeted sectors of our economy, it is compelling to characterise cable theft as economic sabotage.
What is driving cable theft?
The biggest driver of cable theft is the demand for copper, a commodity that has played a crucial role in global industrialisation. While the uses for copper have changed and technology infrastructure has advanced, it is still an essential component for infrastructure across many industries, including telecommunications. With copper being a valuable commodity, this has inevitably created an illicit market for this metal.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀?
The unlawful extraction of copper cables has a significant impact on communities as it interrupts many aspects of our lives. Cable theft often results in affected communities not having electricity supply for days or even weeks. Cable theft also interferes with the supply of internet connectivity as well as telephone communication. This crime affects the country’s transport and communication systems, which are crucial to SA’s economy. All of this has a dire economic impact on communities as some businesses are unable to conduct operations while some residents are unable to work or learn from home under such conditions. Cable theft not only affects economic productivity but can also influence investor perceptions as it relates to investing in South Africa, which will be detrimental to SA’s economic prosperity.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔?
In 2009, the Second-Hand Act was introduced to regulate the business of dealers in second-hand goods and pawnbrokers, in order to combat the trade of stolen goods and to promote ethical standards in the second-hand goods trade.
The act states that a dealer must keep a register in the prescribed form and record in the register the prescribed particulars regarding every acquisition or disposal of second-hand goods.
This includes details about the person’s identity including their identity number, full names, address and phone number. Dealers must also provide a description of the product including the serial number and any distinguishing features about the item. If dealers suspect that someone may be selling stolen goods, they need to report the matter to law enforcement.
While various task teams across the country have been appointed to tackle cable theft, as citizens, we all have a role to play in combating the illicit trade of copper cables. This crime impacts millions of lives and has economic consequences that affect businesses, communities and households. If you suspect that cable theft may be taking place in your neighbourhood, be sure to report such crimes and keep your community safe.
Read full article from the source - Estate Living
The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry contends that cable theft costs South Africa's economy between R5 billion and R7 billion annually. With these staggering financial figures and the targeted sectors of our economy, it is compelling to characterise cable theft as economic sabotage.
What is driving cable theft?
The biggest driver of cable theft is the demand for copper, a commodity that has played a crucial role in global industrialisation. While the uses for copper have changed and technology infrastructure has advanced, it is still an essential component for infrastructure across many industries, including telecommunications. With copper being a valuable commodity, this has inevitably created an illicit market for this metal.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀?
The unlawful extraction of copper cables has a significant impact on communities as it interrupts many aspects of our lives. Cable theft often results in affected communities not having electricity supply for days or even weeks. Cable theft also interferes with the supply of internet connectivity as well as telephone communication. This crime affects the country’s transport and communication systems, which are crucial to SA’s economy. All of this has a dire economic impact on communities as some businesses are unable to conduct operations while some residents are unable to work or learn from home under such conditions. Cable theft not only affects economic productivity but can also influence investor perceptions as it relates to investing in South Africa, which will be detrimental to SA’s economic prosperity.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔?
In 2009, the Second-Hand Act was introduced to regulate the business of dealers in second-hand goods and pawnbrokers, in order to combat the trade of stolen goods and to promote ethical standards in the second-hand goods trade.
The act states that a dealer must keep a register in the prescribed form and record in the register the prescribed particulars regarding every acquisition or disposal of second-hand goods.
This includes details about the person’s identity including their identity number, full names, address and phone number. Dealers must also provide a description of the product including the serial number and any distinguishing features about the item. If dealers suspect that someone may be selling stolen goods, they need to report the matter to law enforcement.
While various task teams across the country have been appointed to tackle cable theft, as citizens, we all have a role to play in combating the illicit trade of copper cables. This crime impacts millions of lives and has economic consequences that affect businesses, communities and households. If you suspect that cable theft may be taking place in your neighbourhood, be sure to report such crimes and keep your community safe.
Read full article from the source - Estate Living
THE SOLUTION
The petition seeks to provide the South African Law Reform Commission guidance to craft an act that is more stringent than the United Kingdom Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
The UK suffered similar problems with theft and damage to state infrastructure damage such as manhole covers and copper cables being stolen.
See the proposed guideline to the South African Law Reform Commission to commence preparation and input from the public and stakeholders. The object of the South African Law Reform Commission is to do research with reference to all branches of the law in order to make recommendations to the Government for the development, improvement, modernisation or reform of the law
United Kingdom - Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
The UK suffered similar problems with theft and damage to state infrastructure damage such as manhole covers and copper cables being stolen.
See the proposed guideline to the South African Law Reform Commission to commence preparation and input from the public and stakeholders. The object of the South African Law Reform Commission is to do research with reference to all branches of the law in order to make recommendations to the Government for the development, improvement, modernisation or reform of the law
United Kingdom - Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
PETITION
NO CASH FOR SCRAP
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