Customs

In a Government Gazette of 24 July 2014 a notice appeared by the Economic Development Department (EDD) calling for nominations for members (Commissioners) of the Commission of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac).

To be eligible for appointment and to continue to hold office as a member of the Commission, a person must: (a) Be ordinarily resident in South Africa; and (b) Have suitable qualifications and experience in economics, accounting, law, commerce, agriculture, industry or public affairs.

A person may not be a member of the Commission if that person: (a) Is an office-bearer of any party, movement, organisation or body of a partisan political nature; (b) Is an unrehabilitated insolvent; (c) Has been found mentally unfit by an order of a competent court; or (d) Has been convicted of an offence committed after the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa took effect and sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Nomination and applications procedure: Nominations must be accompanied by: (a) a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV); (b) shares and other financial interest form; (c) the register of interest information form; (d) a written motivation setting out the nominee’s suitability for appointment; (e) a signed letter of acceptance from the candidate; and (f) a written disclosure of business interests and membership of other boards. All forms are available from EDD.

Note: The members of the Commission must, when viewed collectively, be representative of a broad cross-section of the population of South Africa, including women, and the President must endeavour to ensure participation by significant economic sectors. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to the necessary security clearance ? Any correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. Strict compliance with the nomination requirements and selection procedure will be adhered to and non-adherence will result in the application being disqualified.

Applications and nominations should be submitted to the EDD minister for the attention of the director general by 31 July 2015.

Who knows, should you be appointed as a member your first order of business may well be to consider the application for the rate of customs duty increase on steel products - if you believe media reports, such an application has been lodged with Itac.

Story by : Riaan de Lange