NFTCC to address non-ferrous metal theft

The Non-Ferrous Theft Combating Committee (NFTCC) was formed in 1993 in an attempt to address and combat this type of crime. All major role-players (such as the Saps, Eskom, Telkom, Transnet, BAC etc) are represented on the NFTCC. At the national conference in NFTCC adopted the following strategic intent: "The NFTCC is an integrated body of key role-players that provides strategic guidance and direction for the process of prevention and eradication of theft of non-ferrous metal so that quality of supply of strategic services can be ensured to the benefit of all the people in South Africa."

Contributory factors to non-ferrous metal theft

A number of factors contribute to the theft of non-ferrous metals, including:

• Increasing numbers of illegal immigrants desperate for work.
• Increasing unemployment.
• The involvement of organised crime syndicates.
• The huge demand for copper and aluminium locally and internationally.
• Insufficient control/legislation regarding processing, sale, import and export.
• Criminals know that they, if caught, will only receive light sentences.

NFTCC adopted the following strategic intent: "The NFTCC is an integrated body of key role-players that provides strategic guidance and direction for the process of prevention and eradication of theft of non-ferrous metal so that quality of supply of strategic services can be ensured to the benefit of all the people in South Africa."