On 05 August 2022, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, under the International Trade Administration Act: Import Control called for comment by 26 August 2022, which should be directed to Mahendra Shunmoogam by email scrapmetalpolicy2022@thedtic.gov.za
The Notice reads:
INVITATION FOR COMMENT DRAFT POLICY PROPOSALS ON MEASURES TO RESTRICT AND REGULATE TRADE IN FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS METALS WASTE, SCRAP AND SEMI-FINISHED FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS METAL PRODUCTS TO LIMIT DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ECONOMY
President Ramaphosa, in his State of the Nation Address 2022, stated that “[the damage caused by the theft of scrap metal and cable on our infrastructure like electricity, trains and other vital services is enormous. We will take decisive steps this year both through improved law enforcement and by considering further measures to address the sale or export of such scrap metal”.
On 08 June 2022 Cabinet approved “[that public consultations be undertaken on proposals to restrict the trade of illegally obtained scrap and processed metals. The theft of scrap metal and copper cable from public infrastructure hinders the performance of the economy by imposing enormous costs. Some of the disruptions include the supply of energy and rail services due to vandalised rail tracks. They impose additional transport costs on commuters due to disrupted commuter transport. Vandalised and unsecured electricity cables pose safety risks to communities, especially children. Cabinet directed that the dtic should lead the consultations within a limited period and solicit inputs from the public and relevant sectors on effective measures that government can implement to stop the vandalising of critical economic infrastructure. Thereafter, Cabinet will pronounce on the approved measures.”
Having regard to the above, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), following consultations with the Department of Police, National Treasury, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the Department of Public Enterprises, and the Department of Transport, requests public comment on the policy proposals (the Draft Policy) including the various options identified in the document.
The Draft Policy is published together with the following draft policy directives and notices:
- a draft trade policy directive issued in terms of section 5 and draft notice in terms of section 6(1)(c) of the International Trade Administration Act, 71 of 2002, on the exportation of ferrous and non-ferrous waste and scrap metal;
- a draft notice in terms of section 6(1)(d) of the International Trade Administration Act, 71 of 2002, amending Government Notice R92 published in Government Gazette 35007 of 10 February 2012; and
- a draft notice in terms of section 6(1)(b) of the International Trade Administration Act, 71 of 2002, amending Government Notice R91 published in Government Gazette 35007 of 10 February 2012, referred to collectively as the “draft directives and notices”.
