Second-Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009


Government Gazette
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Vol. 526 Cape Town 1 April 2009 No. 32087
THE PRESIDENCY No. 392 1 April 2009
It is hereby notified that the President has assented to the following Act, which is hereby published for general information:–
No. 6 of 2009: Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009.

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Act No. 6, 2009
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 1 APRIL 2009
SECOND-HAND GOODS ACT, 2009
(English text signed by the President.) (Assented to 30 March 2009.)
ACT To regulate the business of dealers in second-hand goods and pawnbrokers, in order to combat trade in stolen goods; to promote ethical standards in the second-hand goods trade; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
B E IT ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:— ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Sections
CHAPTER 1 5
INTERPRETATION
1. Definitions
CHAPTER 2
REGISTRATION
2. Obligation to register 10 3. Application for registration 4. Information on application by natural person 5. Application by person other than natural person 6. Refusal to register 7. Effect of registration 15 8. Application for amendment of certificate 9. Limitation or variation of conditions by National Commissioner 10. Termination and cancellation of registration 11. Renewal of registration 12. Transfer of certificate 20 13. Temporary registration 14. Disqualifications 15. Display and maintenance of certificates
CHAPTER 3
ACCREDITATION 25
16. Functions of accredited dealers' associations 17. Accreditation 18. Refusal to accredit 19. Cancellation of accreditation 20. Member registers 30
CHAPTER 4
DEALERS
21. Records by dealers 22. False information and stolen goods 23. Restrictions on dealers and pawnbrokers
CHAPTER 5
MOTOR VEHICLES
24. Motor vehicle records
CHAPTER 6
CONTROLLED METALS
25. Obligation to register as recycler
CHAPTER 7
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
26. Communication equipment records
CHAPTER 8
POWERS OF POLICE OFFICIAL
27. Identification by police official 28. Routine inspections 29. Entry, search, seizure and seal-off 30. Warrant 31. Extension of powers
CHAPTER 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS
32. Offences and Penalties 33. Appeals 34. Lodging of applications and notices 35. Service of documents 36. Return of service 37. Defaced, lost or stolen certificates 38. Delegation 39. Condonation and extension of time 40. Jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts 41. Regulations 42. Application of Act and Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 43. Transitional provisions 44. Repeal of laws 45. Short title and commencement
SCHEDULE 1
GOODS
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SCHEDULE 2
CONTROLLED METALS
SCHEDULE 3
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
SCHEDULE 4
LAWS REPEALED
CHAPTER 1
INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF ACT
Definitions
1. (1) In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise— ‘‘accreditation’’ means accreditation by the National Commissioner in terms of section 17; ‘‘acquire’’ means acquire by any means, and includes importing into the Republic; ‘‘antique’’ means goods representing a previous era in human society and which are collected or desirable because of age, rarity, condition, utility or other unique features; ‘‘business trust’’ means a trust created for the purposes of making a profit through the combination of capital contributed by the beneficiaries of the trust and through the administration or management of the capital by trustees or a person acting on behalf of those trustees, for the benefit of the beneficiaries; ‘‘certificate’’ means a certificate of registration issued and in force under this Act, and includes any amendment thereof; ‘‘charity organisation’’ means a voluntary organisation established for charitable purposes, that carries on a business in dealing in second-hand goods and that acquires such second-hand goods by way of donation; ‘‘close corporation’’ means a close corporation within the meaning of the Close Corporations Act, 1984 (Act No. 69 of 1984); ‘‘company’’ means a company within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973); ‘‘communication equipment’’ means any wireless mobile communication equipment with IMEI capable of using SIM, including cellular telephones, telephones and two-way radios, and includes accessories of such equipment; ‘‘controlled metal’’ means any metal contemplated in Schedule 2; ‘‘dealer’’ means a person who carries on a business of dealing in second-hand goods, and includes a scrap metal dealer and a pawnbroker; ‘‘dealers’ association’’ means an association of dealers formed in order to represent the interests of dealers; ‘‘deal in’’ includes acquire and dispose of; ‘‘Designated Police Officer’’ means any police official to whom the National Commissioner delegates any function in terms of section 38(2); ‘‘dispose of’’ means dispose of by any means, and includes exporting out of the Republic; ‘‘goods’’ means any of the goods specified in Schedule 1, but does not include firearms or ammunition as defined in the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) or clothing; ‘‘household and office equipment’’ includes communication equipment, electric and electronic equipment and appliances, electronic software, furniture, gardening equipment, tools, books, valuables, clothing and works of art; ‘‘IMEI’’ means the International Mobile Equipment Identity that uniquely identifies mobile communication equipment;
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‘‘management’’ includes the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, owner or manager of a registered dealer who is responsible for the day to day control, direction or supervision of the business of that dealer at the premises in question; ‘‘Minister’’ means the Minister for Safety and Security; ‘‘National Commissioner’’ means the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, appointed by the President under section 207(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; ‘‘pawnbroker’’ means a person who— (a) engages in the business of lending or advancing money on the deposit or
pledge of goods; (b) lends money upon goods, wares or merchandise pledged, stored or deposited
as collateral security; or (c) otherwise engages in pawn transactions within the meaning of the National
Credit Act, 2005 (Act No. 34 of 2005); ‘‘pawned goods’’ means any movable goods subject to a pledge; ‘‘person’’ includes a trust and a business trust; ‘‘police official’’ means a member of the South African Police Service as defined in section 1 of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995); ‘‘premises’’ includes land, any building, structure, vehicle, conveyance, ship, boat or aircraft; ‘‘precious metals’’ means precious metals as defined in the Precious Metals Act, 2005 (Act No. 37 of 2005); ‘‘prescribe’’ means prescribe by regulation made in terms of section 41; ‘‘previous Act’’ means the Second-Hand Goods Act, 1955 (Act No. 23 of 1955); ‘‘recycle’’ means to melt, smelt, granulate, shred, dismantle, sort, grade, cut or prepare, either by hand or by the use of specialised plant, machinery and equipment, for use by consuming works such as foundries, mills, smelters, refiners and manufacturers; ‘‘recycler’’ means a person who carries on the business of recycling scrap metal; ‘‘registers’’ means registers prescribed in terms of this Act, and includes a print-out of registers kept electronically; ‘‘second-hand goods’’ means goods which have been in use by a person other than the manufacturer or producer thereof or a person dealing therewith for such manufacturer or producer in the course of business, but does not include goods with a value of less than R100; ‘‘scrap metal’’ includes any used, broken, worn out, defaced or partly manufac- tured goods made wholly or partly of non-ferrous or ferrous metal, lead or zinc or any substance of metallic waste or dye made of any of the materials commonly known as hard metals or of cemented or sintered metallic carbides; ‘‘scrap metal dealer’’ means a person who carries on a business that consists wholly or partly of the buying or selling of scrap metal; ‘‘SIM’’ means Subscriber Identity Module; ‘‘Subscriber Identity Module’’ means an independent, electronically activated device designed for use in conjunction with the use of mobile, including cellular or satellite communication equipment, to enable the user of the equipment to receive and transmit indirect communications by providing access to telecommunication systems and enabling such telecommunication systems to identify the particular subscriber identity module and its installed information; ‘‘this Act’’ includes any regulations made in terms of section 41; ‘‘valuables’’ means personal possessions that have a significant monetary value.
(2) The Minister may by notice in the Gazette— (a) add any other article or substance to Schedule 1 or 2; (b) determine that specific sections of this Act do not apply to certain types or
categories of second-hand goods mentioned in Schedule 1 or 2.
CHAPTER 2
REGISTRATION
Obligation to register
2. (1) Every person who carries on a business as a dealer must be registered.
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(2) A person other than a natural person may only be registered if a natural person, who is not disqualified in terms of this Act to be registered, is appointed to manage, and be responsible for, the business of the dealer, as the case may be.
(3) A person contemplated in subsection (2) is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as the registered dealer, as the case may be.
Application for registration
3. (1) (a) An application for registration must be made to the National Commissioner and must be accompanied by the prescribed documents.
(b) The National Commissioner may require the applicant to provide further information necessary for processing the application.
(2) If an applicant intends to conduct business from more than one premises, or where second-hand goods are stored on additional premises, such applicant must apply for registration in respect of each of those premises.
(3) Subject to section 14, the National Commissioner may, after consideration of the application and upon the applicant complying with all the requirements, register the applicant as a dealer.
Information on application by natural person
4. (1) An application by a natural person must be on the prescribed form and accompanied by two identity photographs of the applicant and must include the following information:
(a) The applicant’s full name, residential address and identity number; (b) the name under which the applicant carries on business; (c) the street addresses of all the premises the applicant intends to use or uses for
business purposes; (d) the postal address, if any, used by the applicant for business purposes; and (e) any other prescribed information.
(2) The National Commissioner may require the applicant to furnish additional information or particulars, and may require that the applicant’s fingerprints be taken.
Information on application by person other than natural person
5. (1) An application by a person other than a natural person must include the following information:
(a) The applicant’s name and, where applicable, registration number of the company, close corporation or trust;
(b) the registered address of the applicant; (c) the street addresses of all the premises that the applicant intends to use or uses
for business purposes; (d) the full name and identity number of every person involved in the
management of the applicant, and where applicant applies for registration for more than one premises, the full name and identity number of each person involved in the management of the applicant at each of the premises contemplated in section 3(2);
(e) the full name and identity number of every partner in the partnership, in the case of a partnership; and
(f) any other prescribed information. (2) The National Commissioner may require a natural person involved in the
management of the applicant, including the person contemplated in section 2(2), to furnish additional information or particulars and may require that the person’s fingerprints be taken.
Refusal to register
6. (1) If a dealer fails to comply with the requirements for an application, the National Commissioner must refuse the application and inform the dealer of that fact.
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(2) Before refusing the application, the National Commissioner must— (a) give the dealer written notice of the National Commissioner’s intention to
refuse the application; (b) give the dealer 30 days to submit written representations as to why the
National Commissioner should not make the intended decision; and (c) duly consider any such representations and the facts pertaining to the matter.
(3) The National Commissioner must notify the dealer in writing of any decision taken under this section and state the reasons for and the date on which the decision takes effect in such notice.
Effect of registration
7. (1) Where a dealer is registered in accordance with section 3(3), the National Commissioner must issue the prescribed certificate of registration to a dealer, authorising the dealer to carry on business—
(a) in respect of the classes of second-hand goods specified on the certificate; (b) on the premises specified on the certificate; and (c) subject to such of the prescribed conditions as the National Commissioner
may impose. (2) The National Commissioner must issue a certificate for each premises on which
the dealer may conduct business. (3) If a person other than a natural person carries on business as a dealer, the certificate
must be issued in the name of the person contemplated in section 2(2). (4) Registration does not exempt a dealer from having to comply with the provisions
of any other law. (5) Registration remains valid for a period of five years from the date the certificate is
issued.
Application for amendment of certificate
8. (1) The holder of a certificate of registration must notify the National Commissioner in writing within 30 days if—
(a) there is any change with regard to any information that was submitted in respect of the application for registration;
(b) there is a change in the control or ownership of the dealer; or (c) there is any change that impacts on the ability of the dealer to meet all or any
of the requirements for its registration in terms of this Act. (2) The National Commissioner must, after consideration of the notice contemplated
in subsection (1) and upon being satisfied that the holder of the certificate still complies with all the requirements of this Act, amend the certificate of registration.
(3) The National Commissioner must issue an amended certificate of registration, reflecting all changes, to the dealer.
(4) Upon receipt of the amended certificate, the dealer must immediately hand all previous certificates relating to the registration to the police official handing over the amended certificate.
Limitation or variation of conditions by National Commissioner
9. (1) The National Commissioner may limit or vary any or all of the conditions of registration if there is a change in the circumstances of a registered dealer requiring a limitation or variation.
(2) Before limiting or varying any of the conditions, the National Commissioner must—
(a) give the dealer written notice of his or her intention to limit or vary the conditions of registration;
(b) give the dealer 30 days to submit written representations as to why the National Commissioner should not limit or vary the conditions of registration; and
(c) duly consider any such representations and the facts pertaining to the matter. (3) The National Commissioner must notify the dealer in writing of any decision
taken under this section and state the reasons for and the date on which the decision takes effect in such notice.
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Termination and cancellation of registration
10. (1) Registration in terms of this Chapter terminates— (a) upon the expiry of the period referred to in section 7(5), unless it is renewed
in terms of section 11; (b) in the event that the dealer stops trading or is unable to carry on business in
terms of this Act or any other law; or (c) upon cancellation in terms of subsection (3).
(2) If a dealer stops trading or is unable to carry on business in terms of this Act or any other law contemplated in subsection (1)(b), such dealer must immediately notify the National Commissioner.
(3) (a) The National Commissioner may cancel the registration of a registered dealer if the dealer fails to comply with any—
(i) condition of registration; or (ii) of the provisions of this Act;
(b) The National Commissioner must cancel the registration of a registered dealer if the dealer—
(i) is registered on the basis of incorrect or false information; or (ii) is convicted of an offence of which dishonesty is an element.
(4) Before cancelling the registration of a dealer, the National Commissioner must— (a) give the dealer written notice of the intention to cancel; (b) give the dealer 30 days to submit written representations as to why his or her
registration should not be cancelled; and (c) duly consider any such representations and the facts pertaining to the matter.
(5) The National Commissioner must notify the dealer in writing of any decision taken under this section and state the reasons for and the date on which cancellation takes effect in such notice.
(6) A dealer whose registration has terminated must immediately— (a) hand all certificates relating to the registration to the police official serving the
notice contemplated in subsection (5); or (b) return all certificates to the National Commissioner in the event of termination
contemplated in subsection (1)(a) or (b).
Renewal of registration
11. (1) A registered dealer who intends to renew registration must apply for renewal not more than 180 days and at least 90 days before the date of termination of registration.
(2) An application for renewal of registration must be made to the National Commissioner in the prescribed manner.
(3) An application for the renewal of registration may only be granted if the dealer shows that he or she has continued to comply with the requirements of registration in terms of this Act.
(4) If an application for the renewal of registration has been lodged within the period provided for in subsection (1), registration remains valid until the application is decided.
Transfer of certificate
12. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a certificate issued in terms of this Act may not be transferred.
(2) A registered dealer who wishes to transfer the business to which the registration relates, may only transfer such business to another registered dealer.
(3) The certificate of the dealer transferring the business must be surrendered to the National Commissioner upon the issue of a new certificate.
(4) (a) If a registered dealer dies, is declared by any court to be incapable of managing his or her own affairs or becomes mentally ill as contemplated in the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 (Act No. 17 of 2002), or if the estate of such dealer is sequestrated or if such dealer is liquidated, the executor, curator, administrator, trustee or liquidator of such person, as the case may be, may, subject to any law relating to deceased estates, mental health or insolvency, during the currency of the certificate of registration and without formal transfer of the certificate, conduct the business in question on such premises,
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either personally or through an agent approved by the National Commissioner in writing.
(b) For the period pending the appointment of such executor, curator, administrator, trustee or liquidator, the person managing the affairs of the dealer concerned must, for the purposes of this subsection, be regarded as being such a dealer’s executor, curator, administrator, trustee or liquidator, as the case may be.
Temporary registration
13. (1) Subject to section 14, the National Commissioner may grant temporary registration to a person—
(a) for such period as may be prescribed; and (b) subject to prescribed conditions.
(2) The National Commissioner may at any time withdraw temporary registration if any condition contemplated in subsection (1)(b) is not complied with.
Disqualification
14. (1) A person is disqualified from being registered as a dealer if such person— (a) has in the preceding five years, in the Republic or elsewhere, been sentenced
to imprisonment without the option of a fine in respect of any offence of fraud, theft or corrupt activities as referred to in the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act No. 12 of 2004), or any contravention of the Corruption Act, 1992 (Act No. 94 of 1992), or the commission of any other offence of which dishonesty is an element;
(b) has in the preceding 10 years been convicted of an offence in terms of this Act or the previous Act, irrespective of the sentence imposed, and was within five years after the conviction again convicted of an offence in terms of any of the said Acts and sentenced to a fine exceeding R1 000;
(c) is an unrehabilitated insolvent; (d) is under 18 years; (e) does not permanently reside in the Republic; or (f) is by virtue of any other law disqualified from carrying on a business.
(2) A company, corporation, partnership or trust may not be registered if a person who is disqualified to hold a certificate in terms of subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), or (f)—
(a) has an interest in that company, close corporation or trust; (b) is a partner in that partnership; or (c) is a beneficiary under that trust.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) and (b), ‘‘preceding’’ means preceding the date of the application in question.
Display and maintenance of certificates
15. Where a certificate has been issued in terms of this Act, the original certificate must be—
(a) displayed in a prominent place clearly visible to the public on the premises for which such certificate has been issued; and
(b) maintained in such a state that it can be produced undamaged and in a legible condition.
CHAPTER 3
ACCREDITATION
Functions of accredited dealers’ associations
16. An accredited dealers’ association must— (a) establish its members in different categories of dealers taking into account the
classes of second-hand goods that the members are dealing in;
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(b) establish and maintain minimum legal and ethical standards with regard to its members, and may establish different standards with regard to the different categories of dealers, which may not be of a lower standard than is required under this Act;
(c) inspect any business practice, registers, stock and business premises of its members;
(d) make recommendations to the National Commissioner in support of applications for registration;
(e) assist its members with research and development regarding matters of interest; and
(f) advise the National Commissioner, when requested to do so by the National Commissioner, on industry standards and technological developments in the industry which may affect the application of this Act.
Accreditation
17. (1) The National Commissioner may accredit a dealers’ association in the prescribed manner.
(2) Different criteria may be prescribed in respect of the accreditation of different types of associations, which the National Commissioner must apply when issuing an accreditation.
(3) These criteria must, amongst other things, include criteria relating to— (a) trustworthiness and integrity; (b) capacity to perform functions in terms of this Act; and (c) capacity to advance the purposes of this Act.
Refusal to accredit
18. (1) The National Commissioner must refuse to accredit a dealers’ association if the dealers’ association concerned has not complied with all the requirements for accreditation.
(2) Before refusing to accredit a dealer’s association, the National Commissioner must—
(a) give the dealers’ association written notice of the National Commissioner’s intention to refuse the accreditation;
(b) give the dealers’ association 30 days to submit written representations as to why the National Commissioner should not make the intended decision; and
(c) duly consider any such representations and the facts pertaining to the matter. (3) The National Commissioner must notify the dealers’ association in writing of any
decision taken under this section and state the reasons for and the date on which the decision takes effect in such notice.
Cancellation of accreditation
19. (1) The National Commissioner may cancel an accreditation if there is non-compliance by the dealers’ association concerned with any criterion for accredita- tion.
(2) The National Commissioner must, before cancelling an accreditation— (a) give the dealers’ association 30 days’ notice in writing to submit written
representations as to why the National Commissioner should not cancel accreditation; and
(b) duly consider any representations received, and all the facts pertaining to the matter.
(3) The National Commissioner must notify the dealers’ association in writing of any decision taken under this section.
Member registers
20. (1) Every accredited association must— (a) keep a register of all members in the prescribed form; and (b) submit an annual report to the National Commissioner containing such
information as may be prescribed. (2) Section 28 applies with the necessary changes in respect of an association.
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CHAPTER 4
DEALERS
Records by dealers
21. (1) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, a dealer must keep a register in the prescribed form and record in the register the prescribed particulars regarding every acquisition or disposal of second-hand goods.
(2) The particulars must at least include— (a) particulars in respect of the identity of the person from whom the second-hand
goods are acquired, including— (i) the person’s full names, contact address and contact telephone
number; (ii) the manner in which the person’s identity was verified; and
(iii) the person’s identity number. (b) a description of the second-hand goods and serial number or distinguishing
mark or feature of the second-hand goods; (c) the purchase price paid by the dealer; (d) the number assigned to the second-hand goods by the dealer; (e) the name and signature of the person who conducted the transaction on behalf
of the dealer; and (f) the date and time of the transaction, the date on which the second-hand goods
were sold or an account of how and when the second-hand goods were otherwise disposed of.
(3) If the certificate of registration in question is issued with a condition which requires separate registers, such separate registers must be kept in respect of the acquisition and disposal of different classes of second-hand goods.
(4) A person acquiring second-hand goods from, or disposing of goods to, a dealer, must furnish such dealer with his or her full name, physical address and an original identity document or passport as proof of his or her identity.
(5) A dealer must obtain and keep a copy of the identity document or passport contemplated in subsection (4).
(6) A dealer must retain a register contemplated in subsection (1) and copies of the documents contemplated in subsection (4) for a period of not less than five years, calculated from the date of the relevant transaction.
(7) Every entry in a register in respect of an acquisition or disposal of second-hand goods must be made contemporaneously with the acquisition or disposal in question.
False information and stolen goods
22. (1) If a dealer suspects, or on reasonable grounds should suspect, that— (a) any name, address or document furnished to the dealer is false; (b) goods or goods for pawn, as the case may be, offered to such a dealer are
stolen goods; or (c) the appearance or aspects of an item offered to such dealer has been tampered
with or there was an attempt to alter the appearance or aspects thereof in order to conceal the identity of the item,
such dealer must immediately report the matter to a police official on duty at the police station in whose area the dealer carries on business.
(2) Upon receipt of a report referred to in subsection (1), the police official involved must take down the report in the prescribed manner and immediately provide the person who made the report with the prescribed acknowledgement of receipt.
(3) A person required to make a report in terms of subsection (1) concerning a suspicion that any other person intends to commit or has committed an offence in terms of this Act, may not continue with and carry out any transaction to which such a suspicion relates.
(4) The police official taking down a report contemplated in subsection (2), must immediately provide the designated police officer with a copy of such report, together
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with any particulars regarding the registering of any investigation dockets arising from such report.
Restrictions on dealers and pawnbrokers
23. (1) No dealer may— (a) acquire or accept in pawn goods from any person under the age of 18; (b) store goods elsewhere than on the premises for which a certificate has been
issued in terms of this Act; (c) take into his or her possession goods unless he or she is convinced on
reasonable grounds that the seller of the goods is the owner or titleholder thereof or is duly authorised to dispose thereof;
(d) deliver goods acquired by him or her to a person or change the form or alter the appearance thereof until after the expiration date of a period of seven days from the date of acquisition thereof; or
(e) accept in pawn any firearms or ammunition as defined in section 1 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
(2) During the period contemplated in subsection (1)(d) or during any period that any pawned goods are subject to a pledge, the articles must be kept separate from all other goods of the same or similar kind and description.
CHAPTER 5
MOTOR VEHICLES
Motor vehicle records
24. (1) Subject to section 21, a dealer dealing in second-hand motor vehicles must also record in the prescribed register the particulars regarding every acquisition or disposal of a motor vehicle contemplated in subsection (2).
(2) The particulars contemplated in subsection (1) are— (a) the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the chassis and engine number; (b) the odometer reading; (c) the exterior and trim colour; and (d) any distinguishing mark or feature, such as microdot particulars.
(3) A person acquiring or disposing of a motor vehicle from or to a dealer must furnish such dealer with—
(a) his or her full name; (b) his or her physical address; (c) his or her original identity document or passport as proof of his or her identity;
and (d) proof of registration or deregistration of the motor vehicle.
(4) A dealer must obtain and keep a copy of the identity document or passport contemplated in subsection (3) and must obtain and keep proof of registration or deregistration, as the case may be, contemplated in that subsection.
(5) A dealer must retain the copies contemplated in subsection (4) for a period of not less than five years, calculated from the date of the relevant transaction.
CHAPTER 6
CONTROLLED METALS
Obligation to register as recycler
25. (1) Every dealer who engages in the business of recycling any controlled metal, must apply to be registered as a recycler, in addition to having to be registered in terms of section 2.
(2) An application for registration must be made to the National Commissioner and must be accompanied by the prescribed documents.
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(3) The National Commissioner must, after consideration of the application and upon being satisfied that the applicant complies with all the requirements, register the applicant as a recycler and issue the prescribed certificate.
(4) No person may— (a) have in his or her possession any apparatus which can be used for the
recycling of any controlled metal or any article or substance containing any controlled metal, unless— (i) such person is registered as a recycler; or
(ii) in the case of precious metals, such a person is authorised to possess and recycle precious metals under the Precious Metals Act, 2005 (Act No. 37 of 2005), or any other applicable legislation;
(b) acquire or dispose of any cable consisting of controlled metal of which the cover has been burnt, unless the seller thereof is able to provide a reasonable explanation for the burnt cover, and only after the matter has been reported to a police official in the manner contemplated in section 22(1)(a); or
(c) be in possession of any cable consisting of controlled metal of which the cover has been burnt, unless such person is able to provide a reasonable explanation for the burnt cover.
(5) If a recycler suspects, or on reasonable grounds should suspect, that the appearance or aspects of any scrap metal offered to him or her has been tampered with or there was an attempt to alter the appearance or aspects thereof in order to conceal the identity of the scrap metal, such recycler must make a report contemplated in section 22(1)(c) which applies with the changes required by the context.
CHAPTER 7
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
Communication equipment records
26. (1) Subject to section 21 and any other applicable law, a dealer dealing in second-hand communication equipment must also record in the prescribed register the particulars regarding every acquisition or disposal of communication equipment contemplated in subsection (2).
(2) The particulars contemplated in subsection (1) are— (a) a description of the communication equipment, including the make and
model; (b) the communication equipment’s IMEI number, where applicable; and (c) any other distinguishing mark or feature, including any serial number.
(3) A person acquiring communication equipment from or disposing of communica- tion equipment to a dealer, must furnish such dealer, with his or her—
(a) full name; (b) physical address; and (c) original identity document or passport as proof of his or her identity.
(4) A dealer must obtain and keep a copy of the identity document or passport contemplated in subsection (3).
(5) A dealer must retain copies contemplated in subsection (4) for a period of not less than five years, calculated from the date of the relevant transaction.
CHAPTER 8
POWERS OF POLICE OFFICIAL
Identification by police official
27. A police official, prior to exercising any power in terms of this Chapter, must identify himself or herself to the dealer, owner, employee or person in charge of the premises in question, and must produce his or her appointment certificate issued by the National Commissioner.
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Routine inspections
28. (1) A police official may, during times when business activity in respect of second-hand goods is taking place, enter the premises of any registered dealer in order to investigate compliance with this Act and require the dealer, owner, an employee or the person in control of the premises to—
(a) produce the certificate of registration relating to that premises for inspection; (b) produce any register, record, book or other document relating to the goods in
or on the premises for inspection or for the purposes of obtaining copies thereof or extracts therefrom;
(c) produce any goods found in or on such premises for examination; or (d) explain any entry or absence of any entry in any register, book, record or
document found therein or thereon. (2) If, upon any inspection, a police official discovers that any method of dealing,
recording of transactions in registers or storage that is being used is in contravention of this Act, the police official may—
(a) demand immediate discontinuation of the method; and (b) afford the dealer a period of no more than seven days to rectify such method
in order to ensure compliance with the Act. (3) The dealer, owner, employee or person in charge of premises contemplated in
subsection (1) must assist the police official in the performance of his or her functions under this Act.
(4) (a) A police official must conduct at least one comprehensive annual inspection of each registered premises, during which the records contemplated in section 21(1) must be examined.
(b) On each occasion when a police official inspects a register in terms of subsection (1)(b), such police official must—
(i) sign his or her name immediately after the last entry in that register, and append his or her number and rank and the date on which the inspection was conducted; or
(ii) certify in the manner that the National Commissioner may from time to time direct, that the records were inspected.
Entry, search, seizure and seal-off
29. (1) A police official, on the authority of a warrant issued in terms of section 30, may—
(a) enter any premises specified in that warrant; (b) direct the person in control of or any person employed at the premises to—
(i) disclose any register, record, book, other document or information that pertains to the investigation and is in the possession or under the control of that person; and
(ii) render such assistance as the police official requires in order to enable such police official to perform his or her functions under this Act;
(c) inspect any register, record, book or other document and make copies thereof or excerpts therefrom;
(d) examine any goods or other articles found on the premises; (e) against the issue of a written receipt, seize records, books, documents or
electronic data-storing devices that may be used as evidence of a contraven- tion of any provision of this Act; and
(f) seal or seal off the premises at, on or in which second-hand goods are found, in order to prevent a person from conducting business in contravention of this Act.
(2) A police official may not enter upon or search any premises without audibly demanding admission to the premises and giving notice of the purpose of the entry, unless such police official is, on reasonable grounds, of the opinion that such demand and notification will defeat the purpose of the search.
(3) A police official contemplated in subsection (1) may use such force as may reasonably be necessary to overcome resistance to the entry or search.
(4) Any entry and search in terms of subsection (1) may only be executed by day, unless the execution thereof by night is reasonable and justifiable.
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(5) A police official may without a warrant enter upon any premises and search for, seize and remove anything contemplated in subsection (1) if—
(a) the person who is competent to do so consents to such entry, search, seizure and removal; or
(b) there are reasonable grounds to believe that— (i) a warrant would be issued to the police official if he or she applied
for such warrant; and (ii) the delay in obtaining such warrant would defeat the purpose of the
search. (6) Any goods seized in terms of this section must be dealt with in the manner
contemplated in Chapter 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977), which applies with the changes required by the context.
(7) A person from whom any book, record or document has been taken may, at his or her own expense and under supervision of a police official, make copies thereof or excerpts therefrom.
Warrant
30. (1) A warrant to enter, search, seize and seal off premises must be issued by a magistrate or a judge of the High Court who has jurisdiction in the area in which the premises in question are situated, if it appears from information on oath or affirmation that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a provision of this Act has been or is being contravened.
(2) A warrant issued under this section must specify— (a) the premises which may be entered and which of the acts mentioned in section
29(1) may be performed by the police official; (b) the period for which the premises may be sealed off for purposes of section
29(1)(f), which may not exceed seven days; and (c) whether the warrant authorises execution by night.
(3) A warrant contemplated in this section remains in force until— (a) it has been executed; (b) it is cancelled by the person who issued it, or if such person is not available,
by any other person with similar authority; (c) one month from the date of its issue; or (d) the purpose for which the warrant was issued no longer exists,
whichever occurs first.
Extension of powers
31. (1) The Minister may by notice in the Gazette, either generally or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notice, extend the powers contemplated in this Chapter to any person employed by a public entity contemplated in the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), or any other statutory body if that person is a peace officer contemplated in section 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977).
(2) The notice contemplated in subsection (1) must set out— (a) the extent to and the conditions under which such powers are extended to such
person; and (b) the directives that are applicable to such person in the exercise of such powers.
CHAPTER 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Offences and penalties
32. (1) A person who— (a) fails to comply with section 2(1); (b) fails to apply for registration of all premises in terms of section 3(2);
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(c) furnishes false information in support of an application in terms of section 4; (d) furnishes false information in support of an application in terms of section 5; (e) contravenes or fails to comply with the prescribed certificate or the conditions
specified on such prescribed certificate by— (i) dealing in classes of goods other than those specified on the certificate of
registration; (ii) conducting business from premises other than those specified on the
certificate of registration; or (iii) conducting business in a manner other than specified on the certificate of
registration; (f) contravenes or fails to comply with section 8(1) or (4); (g) contravenes or fails to comply with section 10(2) or (6); (h) fails to renew registration in terms of section 11(1) and who continues to
conduct the business of a dealer; (i) fails to surrender or transfers a certificate other than in the manner prescribed
in section 12; (j) contravenes or fails to comply with section 15; (k) contravenes or fails to comply with section 21(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7); (l) contravenes or fails to comply with section 22(1) or (3); (m) contravenes or fails to comply with section 23; (n) contravenes or fails to comply with section 24(1), (3), (4) or (5); (o) contravenes or fails to comply with section 25(1), (4) or (5); (p) contravenes or fails to comply with section 26(1), (3), (4) or (5); (q) as a dealer contravenes or fails to comply with section 28; (r) contravenes or fails to comply with section 37; or (s) contravenes or fails to comply with section 43(1), (2) or (3),
is guilty of an offence. (2) Any person convicted of a contravention of or a failure to comply with any section
mentioned in Column 1 of Schedule 3, may be sentenced to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding the period mentioned in Column 2 of that Schedule opposite the number of that section, or to both a fine and such imprisonment.
(3) A court may in addition to any other penalty imposed upon conviction of a person of any of the offences under this Act—
(a) in the event of a continuing contravention, impose a further fine or imprisonment for a period of 30 days or both a fine and such imprisonment for each day on which such contravention continued;
(b) suspend or cancel any exemption granted in terms of this Act; (c) suspend or cancel any registration; and (d) order that the second-hand goods that formed the subject of the charge against
that person, be forfeited to the State.
Appeals
33. (1) A dealer who is aggrieved by any decision taken by the National Commissioner in terms of this Act may, in the prescribed manner, appeal to the Minister against that decision.
(2) The Minister may— (a) confirm, set aside or amend the decision taken by the National Commissioner;
or (b) make such order with regard thereto as may be fair and practicable.
Lodging of applications and notices
34. An application or notice contemplated in this Act must be lodged with the Designated Police Officer in whose station precinct the dealer, as the case may be, carries on business or stores any second-hand goods or intends to carry on business or intends to store any second-hand goods.
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Service of documents
35. (1) The manner of service of a notice or other document to be served on or given to a person in terms of this Act may be prescribed.
(2) This section does not apply to notices or other documents served or given during the course of any proceedings in a court of law.
Return of service
36. A document that is signed by a police official indicating that the service was effected in accordance with section 35(1) is, upon production in a court, prima facie evidence of service of the document.
Defaced, lost or stolen certificates
37. (1) If a certificate issued in terms of this Act is lost or stolen, the holder of the certificate must inform the National Commissioner within 30 days of the discovery of the loss or theft.
(2) If a certificate issued in terms of this Act is defaced, lost or stolen, the holder of the certificate must within 30 days of the discovery of the defacement, loss or theft apply to the National Commissioner in the prescribed manner for a copy of the certificate.
Delegation
38. (1) The Minister may in writing delegate any function conferred upon the Minister under this Act, except a function referred to in section 33 or 41, to the National Commissioner or any other police official.
(2) The National Commissioner may in writing delegate any function conferred upon him or her by this Act to any official in the service of the State or employed by a statutory body.
(3) An official to whom a function has been delegated in terms of subsection (2) must perform the function subject to the control and directions of the National Commissioner.
Condonation and extension of time
39. The National Commissioner may, on good cause shown and on grounds which are not in conflict with the objects of this Act, extend any period contemplated in this Act or condone any disqualification contemplated in section 14.
Jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts
40. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a magistrate’s court has jurisdiction to impose any penalty provided for in this Act.
Regulations
41. (1) The Minister may make regulations regarding— (a) any matter that in terms of this Act may or must be prescribed; (b) the form and manner in which an application required under this Act must be
made; (c) all matters related to accreditation, including but not limited to—
(i) the requirements regarding the business form of the dealers’ association;
(ii) the recommended code of conduct for each type of dealers’ association;
(iii) the recommended disciplinary code for each type of dealers’ association; and
(iv) guidelines for a fee structure; (d) standard conditions to which registration is subject; (e) conditions or exemptions with regard to dealing in different classes or kinds of
second-hand goods; (f) conditions or exemptions with regard to members of accredited associations; (g) conditions with regard to dealing on different premises;
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(h) the lay-out of registered premises with regard to different second-hand goods or classes of second-hand goods;
(i) the format of a certificate which may be issued under this Act; (j) the withdrawal or amendment of accreditation, registration or a certificate; (k) the format of any notice contemplated in this Act; (l) after consultation with the Minister of Finance, fees payable for accreditation,
applications for registration or certificates; (m) the format and content of any registers; (n) the information to be furnished by dealers to consumers; (o) the times during which dealers may acquire and dispose of second-hand
goods; and (p) any ancillary or incidental administrative or procedural matter that it is
necessary to prescribe for the proper implementation and administration of this Act.
(2) The Minister may make different regulations for different categories or classes of—
(a) associations and dealers; and (b) second-hand goods or premises.
(3) A regulation made under subsection (1) may provide for a penalty, for any contravention thereof or for a failure to comply therewith, of a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or to both a fine and such imprisonment.
Application of Act and Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000
42. (1) This Act does not apply to— (a) any second-hand goods sold or disposed of by way of public auction
authorised by a warrant of execution under a judgment or order of a court of law;
(b) any dealer who is a member of an accredited association to the extent that the Minister by notice in the Gazette exempts members of such an association from any or all of the provisions of this Act; or
(c) any charity organisation to the extent that the Minister by notice in the Gazette exempts such charity from any or all of the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Minister may only exempt members of associations that are accredited by the National Commissioner and capable of introducing adequate levels of self-regulation in order to achieve the objects of this Act.
(3) Any administrative process conducted, or decision taken, in terms of this Act must be conducted or taken in accordance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act No. 3 of 2000), unless otherwise provided for in this Act.
CHAPTER 10
Transitional provisions
43. (1) (a) Any person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, carried on business as a dealer must, within three months of the date of such commencement, apply for registration in terms of section 3.
(b) If an application for registration has been lodged before the end of the period provided for in paragraph (a), the dealer concerned may continue carrying on the business in question, subject to subsections (2) and (3), until the application is decided.
(2) A person contemplated in subsection (1) must enter into a transitional register all the second-hand goods or pawned goods, as the case may be, held by such person for such business purposes until his or her application in terms of section 4 is decided.
(3) An entry referred to in subsection (2) must set out a full description of the second-hand goods in question, indicating the quantity and colour thereof, identification marks and any other distinguishing features thereon and, in the case of controlled metal, its description and weight and the value thereof as estimated by the dealer concerned.
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(4) A Designated Police Officer or a police official authorised by the Designated Police Officer must endorse the last entry in the transitional register and on each page thereof of every dealer that applies for registration in terms of subsection (1).
Repeal of laws
44. The laws mentioned in the second column to Schedule 4 are hereby repealed to the extent set out in the third column of that Schedule.
Short title and commencement
45. This Act is called the Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009, and comes into operation on a date determined by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
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SCHEDULE 1 (Section 1)
GOODS
Jewellery, including unwrought precious metal as defined in the Precious Metals Act, 2005 (Act No. 27 of 2005).
Agricultural implements, including tractors, ploughs and harvesters, irrigation equipment or any part or accessory thereof.
Bicycles or any part or accessory thereof.
Household and office equipment.
Factory equipment and machinery or any part or accessory thereof.
Tyres of any vehicle or motorcycle.
Communication equipment or any part or accessory thereof.
Photographic or optical instruments or any part or accessory thereof.
Any controlled metal, or any wrought article, or any article or substance consisting wholly or principally of one or more of such metals.
Antique goods.
Motor vehicle or any part or accessory thereof.
Vehicles or any part or accessory thereof.
Sporting equipment.
Valuables.
Books.
Shop-fitting equipment.
SCHEDULE 2 (Section 1)
CONTROLLED METALS
Copper, aluminium, zinc, chrome, lead, white metal, nickel, tungsten, tin, ferrovanadium, ferrosilicon, ferrochrome, brass, bronze, cobalt and precious metals as defined in the Precious Metals Act, 2005 (Act No. 27 of 2005), or any article consisting wholly or principally of any of those metals.
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SCHEDULE 3
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
(Section 32)
Section Maximum period of imprisonment 2(1) 10 years 3(2) 10 years
4 10 years 5 10 years
8(1) or (4) Three years 10(2) or (6) Three years
11 Three years 12 Three years 15 Three years
21(1) 10 years 21(3), (4), (5), (6) or (7) Five years
22(1) or (3) 10 years 23 10 years
24(1) 10 years 24(3), (4) or (5) Five years 25(1), (4) or (5) 10 years 26(1), (3) or (5) 10 years
28 10 years 37 Three years
43(1), (2) or (3) Three years
SCHEDULE 4
LAWS REPEALED
(Section 44)
No. and year Short title Extent of repeal
Act No. 23 of 1955 Second-hand Goods Act, 1955 The whole
Act No. 50 of 1956 General Law Amendment Act, 1956 Section 21
Act No. 68 of 1957 General Law Amendment Act, 1957 Sections 43 and 44
Act No. 18 of 1978 Second-hand Goods Amendment Act, 1978
The whole
Act No. 88 of 1996 Abolition of Restrictions on the Juris- dictions of Courts Act, 1996
Section 7
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