Law protects infrastructure

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has faced a barrage of criticism over the past few days following his sacking of former Treasury head Nhlanhla Nene, appointment of the little known David van Rooyen and then the re-appointment of the respected Pravin Gordhan. The events shook the markets and the fallout will take some time to settle.

However, his signing into law of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act on Monday after its quick transition through the legislature, has been met with approval.

For years, vandalism and the theft of essential private and state infrastructure has cost the country billions and enraged communities.

Earlier this year, parastatal Eskom said it lost upwards of R4.7 billion a year through cable theft and industry losses ran to R10bn.

Metrorail has reported that last year at least 10 percent of delays and cancellations in the province were linked to cable theft, costing the company R167 million in repairs.

In Cape Town, at least 14 train carriages have been burnt as a result of suspected arson attacks so far this year.

The new law is almost a declaration of war on those who steal or damage essential infrastructure. From now on the punishment meted out could be severe, with jail terms of up to 30 years and fines of up to R100m.

Some human rights organisations are sceptical, arguing that harsher penalties are not a necessarily a deterrent, especially in a country with a fairly low conviction rate.

Certain legal organisations have also warned the penalties imposed could undermine the minimum sentencing provisions applicable in the courts’ considerations.