IFP PRESS STATEMENT BY: 
Mr Hennie Bekker MP
IFP Economic Affairs Spokesperson

31st July 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: 1 August 2008  

Time: 10am 

Venue: Committee Room V226, Second Floor, Old Assembly Wing 

 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Hennie Bekker MP: 083 255 4520
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470