Standing Firm: The Inclusive Plumbers Association’s Fight for Fairness and Independence in the Plumbing Industry
Posted by: Geoff Snelling, Chairman of the Inclusive Plumbers Association Date: September 13, 2025
Dear Members, Plumbers, and Industry Stakeholders,
At the Inclusive Plumbers Association (IPA), we have always prided ourselves on being a voice for all qualified plumbers—regardless of race, religion, or creed. Since our inception in 2019, we’ve built a robust, self-sustainable organization with over 1,200 verifiable qualified members nationwide. Our mission is simple: to empower plumbers, ensure consumer protection, and uphold the highest standards of health and safety in the industry. Today, I want to share with you the details of a recent letter we sent to the SAQCC Committee, highlighting our concerns about a flawed process that threatens the very principles we stand for.
This letter, dated February 4, 2024, was written without prejudice and addresses serious issues in the SAQCC process. We believe it’s crucial for our community to understand these matters, as they impact every plumber’s right to fair representation, independence, and ethical governance. Let’s break it down.
The Heart of the Issue: A Tainted Process
Our dissatisfaction stems from a final meeting at the IOPSA head office, where dialogue was stifled, agenda items were downplayed, and key concerns were ignored. From the outset, we emphasized the need to adhere to the Competitions Act No. 89 of 1998, particularly Chapter 2 on Prohibited Practices, to set clear boundaries. Yet, these guidelines were not followed, leading to what we see as restrictive horizontal practices and collusion among certain associations.
Here are a few examples we highlighted:
- Unequal Access to Information: When proposals from various associations were shared, our formal request to review others’ submissions was denied. Meanwhile, the PIRB proposal was edited by an IOPSA employee and approved by a board that included overlapping members from other groups. This gave some associations an unfair advantage, excluding the IPA and violating our constitutional rights to equal participation.
- Conflicts During Discussions: In the final meeting, PIRB representatives were asked to leave during their proposal’s discussion, but overlapping board members from other organizations remained and voted—effectively representing multiple interests. This created a tainted process, allowing vote-packing and manipulation.
- Financial Ties and Irregularities: IOPSA’s involvement raised red flags due to financial relationships with PIRB, including loans and subcontracted audits. Such ties could influence decisions to protect financial interests, which is unacceptable in any democratic process.
These horizontal relationships among associations point to predetermined outcomes, financial protections through collusion, and a breach of the Competitions Act. If addressed early, many participants might have been excluded to ensure fairness.
Upholding Majority Rule and Democratic Values
A core pillar of our democracy is majority rule, yet this process favored minority and non-affiliated associations over larger ones like the IPA. Under the Competitions Act, a historically disadvantaged person or association is defined as one where disadvantaged individuals own and control a majority of votes or shares. The IPA fits this description, representing a majority in the industry with our large, inclusive membership base.
We’ve grown faster than organizations that have existed for over 30 years, without relying on collusion. Our system allows us to register all members instantly if needed, and we’ve worked tirelessly to unite the plumbing community. It’s undemocratic for a committee to override this by giving preference to smaller groups, effectively undermining our members’ constitutional rights to form associations and govern their industry.
Moreover, the process lacked independence. One association dictated participation criteria, briefed the facilitator (with whom they had prior financial ties), and influenced outcomes. We questioned the facilitator’s impartiality and funding, as true independence is essential for trust.
Transparency in the SANS 151 Amendment
The amendment to SANS 151 should be an open, inclusive process under the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act of 2008. Public participation is a constitutional right, yet the proposed wordings—including the Certificate of Conformity—were kept secretive, excluding stakeholders like local authorities responsible for potable water systems.
We also noted changes to the original wording from the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) in September 2022, which was altered days later to favor an “Inspection Authority” linked to specific individuals. This seemed like an attempt to hijack the process, excluding associations and removing our freedom of association—something we’ve seen before in our industry.
Defending Associations’ Independence
All participating associations, including the IPA, are independent with our own constitutions and voluntary members. We’ve developed a system of accountability that’s accepted by insurance companies and most local authorities. It ensures plumbers certify their work responsibly, without high fees or disqualifications based on CPD points. We respect local bylaws and encourage compliance.
The DoEL tasked the committee to empower associations using SAQCC Gas as a template, focusing on health, safety, and consumer protection. Their requirements include registering competent persons, executing disciplinary procedures, engaging with inspectors, and maintaining sound management. Not all associations can meet these independently, but the IPA already has most systems in place, including a national footprint, education team, and plans for multilingual Certificates of Conformity (starting with Xhosa, followed by isiZulu, Sesotho, and Afrikaans).
We challenge the committee’s authority to remove our independence or dictate our operations. This would breach the Competitions Act’s rules on abuse of dominance, creating a monopoly where one organization controls the market to the detriment of others—especially historically disadvantaged ones like ours.
Our Path Forward
With these facts, the IPA cannot accept decisions from a tainted process riddled with collusion, anti-competitive behavior, and undemocratic practices. We reject it outright and propose that conflicted associations remove themselves or forfeit votes.
We’ll adhere to DoEL responsibilities, set a standard for the Certificate of Conformity that multiple associations can use, and contribute equally to SAQCC’s administration—without using it to fund other organizations. Our system is available to qualifying associations without one, and we won’t object to them using PIRB or alternatives.
The IPA has negotiated in good faith, putting plumbers and the industry first. We will no longer tolerate bullying or interference. If needed, we’ll let the courts affirm our position and protect our independence.
We’re committed to a multiple-system approach, like in the electrical industry, that’s constitutionally sound and competition-compliant. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive plumbing sector.
If you have questions or want to join our efforts, reach out via our website or contact us directly. Let’s keep standing firm for what’s right.
Thank you, Geoff Snelling Chairman, Inclusive Plumbers Association
