MEDIA STATEMENT
BY THE
INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
IFP MP To Submit Legislative Proposal on Cable Theft
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IFP PRESS
STATEMENT RELEASED BY: 6th August 2008 The Inkatha Freedom Party has on numerous occasions over the past few years drawn attention to the scourge and devastating effect of cable theft in South Africa. "This is one of the most serious economic crimes that is today being committed in South Africa. Not only does it disrupt essential services, but it also has serious cost implications for our economy," said Mr Hennie Bekker MP, IFP Economic Affairs Spokesperson, today. Mr Bekker continued: "It is for these reasons that my party and I have decided to introduce this legislative proposal to deal with cable theft in a much stricter way than currently provided for in law. "Last year Business Against Crime reported that the theft of copper cables cost the South African economy an estimated R5 billion per year, according to figures from Eskom, Telkom and Spoornet. These three companies spent approximately R5 billion replacing stolen cables during that financial year. "This theft and/or destruction of copper cables disrupts the economy, the provision of essential services to the public in general and private lives and could result in a human disaster. Just this past week, irate commuters torched a number of trains in Thembisa because of delays caused by cable theft. "It is obvious that these crimes can no longer be treated as simple common theft as the existing fines and sentences do not serve as an adequate deterrent." Mr Bekker said that the crimes are being committed purely for financial gain and cannot be regarded as a petty crime any longer. "It is therefore my position that the objective of financial gain forming the basis of theft and/or destruction of copper cable should be included in the definition of a terrorist activity as defined in the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (Act No. 33 of 2004). "Doing so would ensure that this crime is no longer regarded as a petty crime and perpetrators would be faced with the severe penalties provided for in section 18 of the Act, including imprisonment for life," concluded Mr Bekker. **The legislative proposal will be submitted to the Committee on Private Members' Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions. Date: 7 August 2008 Time: 12.30pm Venue: E216, National Assembly
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PRIVATE MEMBER'S LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL THE PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY AGAINST TERRORIST AND RELATED ACTIVITIES AMENDMENT BILL, 2007 HENNIE BEKKER MP MOTIVATION I have on numerous occasions over the past few years drawn attention to the scourge and devastating effect of cable theft in South Africa. This is one of the most serious economic crimes that is today being committed in South Africa. Not only does it disrupt essential services, but it also has serious cost implications for our economy. Last year Business Against Crime reported that the theft of copper cables cost the South African economy an estimated R5 billion per year, according to figures from Eskom, Telkom and Spoornet. These three companies spent approximately R5 billion replacing stolen cables during that financial year. This theft and/or destruction of copper cables disrupts the economy, the provision of essential services to the public in general and private lives and could result in a human disaster. Just this past week, irate commuters torched a number of trains in Thembisa because of delays caused by cable theft. Statistics have also shown that from 2005 to 2006 there was a 70% increase in the reporting of these incidents of crime by Telkom, Eskom and Transnet Freight Rail. In answers to parliamentary questions, members of the executive have informed me that Eskom suffered losses of R25, 2 million as a result of 1 596 incidents of cable theft during the 2007 calendar year, while Telkom suffered a direct loss of R203 million and estimated revenue loss of R368 million in the same period. These answers are attached to this memorandum. It is obvious that these crimes can no longer be treated as simple common theft as the existing fines and sentences do not serve as an adequate deterrent. It is my view that the theft of copper cable by "informal collectors" and the subsequent sale of it to persons or businesses that recycle it for resale in the open market, or overseas export is an act purely for financial gain. However, if the subsequent disruption to and losses for our economy is taken into account, this crime has far greater implications for South Africa's stability and security as a whole. It is therefore my position that the objective of financial gain forming the basis of theft and/or destruction of copper cable should be included in the definition of a terrorist activity as defined in the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (Act No. 33 of 2004). Doing so would ensure that this crime is no longer regarded as a petty crime and perpetrators would be faced with the severe penalties provided for in section 18 of the Act, including imprisonment for life. The main objectives of the legislative proposal before the Committee are to: 1. Amend the definition of "terrorist activity" in section 1 of the Act. It is proposed that the section be amended to make provision for - . The inclusion of the delivery of electricity services as an essential service a terrorist activity is designed to interfere with or disrupt; . Expanding the intention of committing a terrorist activity to also include the result of financial loss; and . Rendering it possible to also commit a terrorist activity purely for financial gain with regard to the activities referred to in section 1(a) (vi) to (viii). 2. Amend section 3 of the Act to also render those persons, especially scrap metal dealers, who directly or directly benefit from the theft of copper cable, liable in terms of the provisions of the Act I am confident that all Ministers will support this legislative proposal, but a serious concern is that no one is currently taking the lead to effectively address cable theft and its resultant economic disruption and losses. It is for these reasons that my party and I have decided to introduce this legislative proposal to deal with cable theft in a much stricter way than currently provided for in law. Thank you. HENNIE BEKKER MP |