[pic]
Private Bag X802, PRETORIA, 0001 Tel: (+27 12) 334 0705 Fax: (+27 12)
326 4478
Private Bag X9123, CAPE TOWN, 8000 Tel: (+27 21) 469 6701 Fax: (+27
21) 461 0851
FOR ORAL REPLY
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO 2014/117
QUESTION
Mr E M Mthethwa (ANC) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance
and Traditional Affairs:
1. (a) What has been found to be the impact of cable theft in
metropolitan municipalities and towns across South Africa and
(b) what concrete measures are being taken to address this
challenge;
2. (a) what non-budget measures such as the closing down of scrap-
yards that mushroom across towns and cities are being
implemented and (b) what is being done to (i) enforce the law
where cable theft is taking place and (ii) formulate relevant
bills and legislation where none is in existence.
REPLY
1. (a) The high prevalence of cable theft, in particular copper theft,
and its consequences has become a major concern throughout the
metros and towns. Theft of metal from public infrastructure costs
the economy billions of Rands, undermines service delivery and
economic development. It leads to social and political instability.
The State Security would provide the extent of the problem in due
course not only in metros but throughout the country.
(b) The Deputy Ministers for Cooperative Governance; Justice and
Correctional Services; Police; State Security and Public
Enterprise have formed a working group to identify and make
proposals to deal with the matter of cable theft. This include
legislative measures and operational shortcomings in combating cable
theft
2. (a) Currently, there are no measures provided under the Second Hand
Act, 1955 repealed by the Second Hand Act, 2009. The Act only
imposes obligations on dealers in second hand goods and provides for
various prohibitions
(b) The discussion of the working group of the Deputy Ministers
(COGTA, Justice and Correctional Services, State Security, Police
and Enterprise) has placed the issue of the legislation dealing with
cable theft high on the agenda and particular attention is paid to
the Second Hand Goods Act as an instrument, which deals with the
possession of the cable once it has been stolen to deal also with
the actual stealing.
