The Human Rights Commission wants vandalism to infrastructure to be treated as a human rights crime.
This comes after research commissioned by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition found such damage cost the state at least R45 billion annually.
This is damage to public infrastructure of water systems, electricity networks, schools, clinics and transport infrastructure.
In a statement, the Commission said “the concern therefore extends beyond the underlying criminal act. Where vandalism is recurring and foreseeable, the human-rights inquiry must also consider whether reasonable measures are being taken to prevent harm, regulate the relevant industries, disrupt organised networks, restore services and protect affected communities. The scale of the problem remains significant.”
As a result, the Commission wants the urgent finalization of outstanding reforms, stronger transaction traceability and seller verification, and enforcement directed at the entire illicit value chain, including organized networks, receiving dealers, facilitators and illicit financial flows.
This is in addition to the current July 2024 proposed stronger seller registration, electronic reporting and electronic payments as well as Cabinet’s announcement on 26 August 2026, regarding a proposed Second-Hand Goods Amendment Bill.
“Organs of state must also treat infrastructure protection, restoration and service continuity as part of their constitutional responsibilities, while businesses in the scrap-metal value chain should undertake appropriate human-rights due diligence and verify the lawful origin of materials” said the Commission.”
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