Scrap metal trade ban extended

The temporary ban on the trade of scrap metal has been extended for a further six months.

Government instituted the ban in November in an effort to curb the ongoing theft of metals used in public infrastructure.

The extension on the ban was recently gazetted by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel.

Patel said the International Trade and Administration Commission of South Africa will not be accepting or processing ‘any applications for export permits for the exportation of ferrous and non-ferrous waste and scrap metal’.

This as the economic damage of ongoing theft and vandalism is estimated at R47-billion and has affected electricity infrastructure as well as disrupted freight and passenger rail services.

It is reported that cable theft resulted in a R2-billion loss in revenue for Transnet in 2021, while 742km of Eskom cable was stolen, leading to significant additional electricity disruption.

“South Africa has an extensive network of electricity and telephone cables, rail tracks and rail cables, and municipal infrastructure such as traffic lights and drain covers. It is practically impossible to police all of this infrastructure, all of the time.

“The measures approved by Cabinet, therefore, seek to reduce the demand for scrap metal from the lucrative global market, while simultaneously disrupting criminals’ transport and logistics networks,” said Patel.

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