Scrap metal dealer fined R500 000 for illegal export
The accused was in contravention of the International Trade Administration Act.
THE Durban Magistrate’s Court sentenced a scrap metal dealer, Deepak Kumar Metha (44), to a fine of R500 000 or five years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to exporting scrap metal without obtaining an export permit.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting (NPA) Authority’s KZN division, said Metha prepared five containers for export from the Port of Durban to India in February this year.
“The cargo was valued at about R466 000. He did this fully aware that the cargo required an application to ITAC, for an export permit, and intentionally and unlawfully failed to apply for the export permit,” she said.
Ramkisson-Kara said the containers were transported from Johannesburg to the terminal at the Port of Durban for loading onto the ship. She said the South African Revenue Service Customs and Investigations Unit found that Metha did not possess the required permit.
Suspended sentence
According to Ramkisson-Kara, the sentence was suspended for a period of five years with several conditions in place.
As one of the conditions, Meetha must not be convicted of any offence involving Section 6 of the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) 71 of 2002 and section 84 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1996. Meetha must also pay a fine of R250 000 over the next four months.
“The instalments of R50 000 are due at the end of each month, beginning in November 2021 and ending in March 2022,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
The matter was successfully finalised by the Regional Court Control Prosecutor, Vaneshree Moodley.
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