The South African government has moved a step closer to making it a lot more difficult for criminals to profit from the sale of stolen goods. This is thanks to the Second-Hand Goods Bill, which was OKed by the National Council of Provinces last week, reported in the Cape Times.

According to the report, when the Bill is passed into law:

- Second-hand dealers and recyclers will have to register with the National Police Commission
- Anyone with a criminal record will not be allowed to register to sell second-hand wares
- Dealers will have to keep a record of all goods bought and sold
- It will be illegal for dealers to buy second-hand goods from anyone younger than 18
- Dealers will have to hang on to goods for seven days before selling them or changing them
- Dealers will be obliged to tell the police if they suspect that they have been offered stolen goods
- The bill also sets out guidelines for members of the public to make a citizen’s arrest

The Bill does not apply to charities, private sales, and second-hand book and clothes sales.

As with so many things, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so it will be interesting to see how the details pan out. It would be sad to see the good work done by recyclers hampered by too much red tape and bureaucracy, so let’s hope the implementation is user-friendly and not too restrictive, while still achieving the aims of the Bill.