A Cape Town-based export company has received a hefty fine for illegally exporting scrap metal without a valid export permit.
However, several industry players have in the past and more recently questioned government interventions and their success in preventing infrastructure theft and providing “affordable” scrap to local mills and foundries.In the latest case, the International Trade Administration Commission took Scrapmania and its director, Joseph Hurling, to task for exporting 20 containers of scrap metal without a valid permit.
Itac says in a statement the strict regulation of scrap metal exports is crucial when the incentive to export scrap, particularly when international prices surge upwards, may trigger “domestic security of supply challenges”.This comes at a great cost to local investment and employment in the foundries, mills and other consuming firms downstream.
“The Itac enforcement unit, working with the relevant stakeholders including Sars customs, the SAPS and Department of Justice, continue to make in-roads in curbing the illegal importation and exportation of restricted and prohibited goods into and out of South Africa.”The industry has been subjected to several measures in the past to combat infrastructure damage and scrap metal theft.