DTIC developing scrap metal policy to protect electrical grid, rail network

• Published date: 20 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Government is developing a draft policy on scrap metal that will protect the country's electrical grid and rail network from the continued threat of scrap metal syndicates, says Trade, Industry and Competition, Minister Ebrahim Patel.

Delivering the Department's 2022/23 Budget Vote, the Minister said this needed to be done if the country was to build an enabling environment for industrialisation.

By the end of July, he said, the draft policy would have been developed and tabled.

He said it would 'introduce a blend of domestic and export measures to address illegal trading in copper cable and scrap metal'.

He said: 'Energy and logistics is vital to the success of our industrialisation efforts. [Public Enterprises] Minister Pravin Gordhan and I have agreed to launch a forum to bring together Eskom, Transnet and other entities together with industrialists in key sectors to enhance collaboration, advanced planning and problem-solving'.

This, he said, would enable a better climate for investment and job creation,' he said.

DTIC...