Minister Fikile Mabalula believes that banning the export of scrap metal will limit the markets promoting this crime.

The transport minister of South Africa Fikile Mabalula, has called for a ban on the export of scrap metal as theft and vandalism of critical rail infrastructure which is damaging the country’s economy. Recently Fikile Mabalula, commented that the move would make the theft of cables and other metals less attractive. “The criminality behind the rampant theft and vandalism of railway infrastructure that has stripped bare our stations and rail network requires extraordinary interventions, that go beyond merely stepping up security.

Rail Line

“The criminality behind the rampant theft and vandalism of railway infrastructure that has stripped bare our stations and rail network requires extraordinary interventions, that go beyond merely stepping up security.

Mabalula said that, “We must eliminate this perverse incentive by banning the export of scrap metal and therefore limit the market that aids this criminality. The corporate sector must come to the party and bolster our efforts to deal a decisive blow to this criminality, that is enabled by scrap dealers buying stolen scrap metal”. He said that the National Rail Policy is important to accelerate the implementation of priority structural reforms in the economy to support economic recovery.

“The key policy position on the introduction of third-party access on the rail network is one of the key thrusts to drive efficiencies and improve competitiveness. The National Rail Policy will guide the building of the local industry capacity thereby boosting the manufacturing capacity and localisation. Government will ensure that industrialisation and the local production of steel and other inputs, rail lines and supplies, and rolling stock is promoted through policies that will require state and private operators to procure all supplies from South African-based manufacturers” said Mabalula. In KZN, floods wreaked havoc on many parts of the rail network with an estimated cost of more than R2bn.

Minister transport

Mabalula said that, “We must eliminate this perverse incentive by banning the export of scrap metal and therefore limit the market that aids this criminality.