South Africa Blocks Donated Clothes

Charities that send used clothing to needy people in South Africa say their efforts have been hampered by the country’s bureacracy, reports The Star, a South African newspaper.

Many charities are unaware that South Africa’s Revenue Service requires them to obtain permits to send in secondhand goods. Even fewer organizations realize that they are expected to foot the bill to store the clothes, many of which are ultimately destroyed.

A spokesman for the state agency said those rules are designed to protect South Africa’s textile industry and prevent illegal resale of clothing, although he added that the government does allow some charity clothing to be distributed.