Following our article on the Consumer Protection Act recently published on the question of “The two market” concept, Plumbing Africa received the following letter. For the record and as required for legal needs, should it be required, Plumbing Africa knows the author’s name, address and contact number. Because of the sensitivity of the issue, we are publishing this anonymously.
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The “two market” system: Entrenching and continuing the apartheid legacy.
“We cannot believe that currently, given the difficult history of our country, unscrupulous companies so brazenly continue to exploit and profit from the shameful legacy of apartheid. This is not what our industry stands for!”
Over the past few years, we have noticed a growing influx of sub-standard, non-compliant and even illegal products entering the plumbing industry. Taps, copper pipes, sewer fittings and even geysers – there seems to be evermore unscrupulous manufacturers, importers and retailers who have no moral or ethical problem with supplying clients unsafe and poor-quality products. Unsuspecting plumbers and the public are being ruthlessly lured into purchasing these products, being duped into believing that they are buying quality products at a good price.
On the surface, these products appear to be good quality, they are bright and shiny – packaged professionally and often come with fancy slogans and promises of quality. The fact is that we have standards and laws in South Africa which are meant to protect both the public and our precious water resources. These standards were drawn up by experts from Industry over many years and are in place to ensure that plumbing products do not cause harm. Unfortunately, the lack of enforcement of these laws and standards has left a glaring gap that unscrupulous businesses are exploiting mercilessly.
Besides the obvious problems posed by sub-standard products such as shorter lifespans, leaks and damages to property, these products can be downright dangerous to users’ health and safety. Some products may leach dangerous chemicals such as lead and arsenic into the water that we drink and wash with. Other products may present fire hazards or have the potential to cause fires, electrocution and even serious explosions. On a broader scale these products are being used in municipal infrastructure where they exacerbate the water and sanitation problems that most municipalities are facing.
Discussions with these unscrupulous suppliers has revealed the existence of the so-called “two market system”. Essentially, they are indicating that the supply of plumbing materials is split into two distinct segments, the formal and the informal. Their argument is that the informal sector does not need or want quality compliant products and that the only requirement is that the products are “cheap”. Conversely, they argue that the formal sector needs compliant products and that the standards and regulations are important.
So, who and where is this so-called informal market? Simply put, it is the townships and rural areas. And who, pray tell, lives in these areas? Are these not the very areas that suffered most under the apartheid regime? The very areas where sub-standard infrastructure was put in place, where low levels of literacy make informed decision making difficult, where there is poverty and every cent counts, where good quality long lasting products are most needed.
We cannot believe that currently, given the difficult history of our country, unscrupulous companies so brazenly continue to exploit and profit from the shameful legacy of apartheid. This is not what our industry stands for!
We call on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), the Department of Employment and Labour (DEOL), SALGA and the NRCS to take urgent steps to bring these unscrupulous companies to book. The law is there for all of us, not a selected few and it must be enforced! We also call on these companies to immediately cease the manufacture, import and sales of these products. We will be providing these companies’ details to the relevant authorities and will begin a public campaign to name and shame them. This shameful practice must be stamped out for good!
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