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Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997)

21. Offences and penalties

 

(1) Any person who—
(a) contravenes or fails to comply with any condition, restriction, prohibition, reservation or directive imposed or issued in terms of this Act;

[Section 21(1)(a) substituted by section 15 of Act No. 23 of 2006]

(b) obstructs or hinders any inspector in the exercise of his or her powers or the performance of his or her duties in terms of this Act or refuses to furnish information as required in terms of this Act to the registrar;
(c) refuses or fails to furnish information or give an explanation or to reply to the best of his or her knowledge to a question lawfully demanded from or put to him or her by the registrar, Committee, Council or any inspector in the performance of his or her functions in terms of this Act, or furnished information, an explanation or a reply to the registrar, Committee, Council or any inspector which is false or misleading, knowing that it is false or misleading; or

[Section 21(1)(c) substituted by section 15 of Act No. 23 of 2006]

(d) falsely holds himself or herself out to be an inspector or any other officer appointed in terms of this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence.

 

(2) Any person convicted of an offence under this Act, shall—
(a) on a first conviction be liable to a fine, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years; and
(b) on a second or subsequent conviction be liable to a fine, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four years.

 

(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law contained, a magistrate's court shall be competent to impose any penalty or make any order prescribed by this Act.