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National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999)

Chapter III : General Provisions

Part 1 : Enforcement, appeals, offences and penalties

50. Appointment and powers of heritage inspectors

 

(1) SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority may, in writing, appoint heritage inspectors: Provided that if a heritage inspector is a staff member of a government department or supported body, such appointment must only be made by agreement with the Minister or other person in charge of the administration of such department or body.

 

(2) By force of this section, each member of the South African Police Services and each customs and excise officer is deemed to be a heritage inspector.

 

(3) The heritage resources authority must issue to each heritage inspector, other than a person referred to in subsection (2), an identity card containing a photograph and the signature of the heritage inspector.

 

(4) For the purposes of this section, a reference to an identity card in relation to a person referred to in subsection (2), is a reference to written evidence of the fact that he or she is a member of the bodies referred to in subsection (2).

 

(5) A person who ceases to be a heritage inspector must forthwith return his or her identity card to the heritage authority concerned.

 

(6) A heritage inspector, other than a customs and excise officer or a member of the South African Police Services in uniform, may not exercise his or her powers in terms of this Act in relation to another person unless the heritage inspector first produces the identity card for inspection by the other person: Provided that if the production of the identity card would endanger the health or safety of the heritage inspector, he or she must produce it as soon as is practicable to do so.

 

(7) Subject to the provisions of any other law, a heritage inspector or any person authorised by a heritage resources authority in writing, may at all reasonable times enter upon any land or premises for the purpose of inspecting any heritage resource protected in terms of the provisions of this Act, or any other property in respect of which the heritage resources authority is exercising its functions and powers in terms of this Act, and may take photographs, make measurements and sketches and use any other means of recording information necessary for the purposes of this Act.

 

(8) A heritage inspector may at any time inspect work being done under a permit issued in terms of this Act and may for that purpose at all reasonable times enter any place protected in terms of this Act.

 

(9) Where a heritage inspector has reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence in terms of this Act has been, is being, or is about to be committed, the heritage inspector may with such assistance as he or she thinks necessary—
(a) enter and search any place, premises, vehicle, vessel or craft, and for that purpose stop and detain any vehicle, vessel or craft, in or on which the heritage inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, there is evidence related to that offence;
(b) confiscate and detain any heritage resource or evidence concerned with the commission of the offence pending any further order from the responsible heritage resources authority; and
(c) take such action as is reasonably necessary to prevent the commission of an offence in terms of this Act.

 

(10) A heritage inspector may, if there is reason to believe that any work is being done or any action is being taken in contravention of this Act or the conditions of a permit issued in terms of this Act, order the immediate cessation of such work or action pending any further order from the responsible heritage resources authority.

 

(11) A heritage inspector may require any person who he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence in terms of this Act to supply his or her name and address and reasonable evidence of his or her identity, and may arrest a person who refuses to comply with those requirements.

 

(12) A person—
(a) must comply with a request or requirement lawfully made in terms of this section to the extent that the person is capable of complying with it;
(b) may not knowingly furnish information that is false or misleading; and
(c) may not hinder or obstruct any heritage inspector in the exercise of his or her powers in terms of this section.