The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has begun destroying illicit and smuggled cigarettes valued at R43 million at the Beitbridge border post.
- 2,000 master cases (or 20 million) cigarettes will be destroyed and the process is likely to last a few days.
- Illicit and smuggled cigarettes were seized in multi-agency and intelligence-driven operations as part of SARS’ tobacco strategy.
- SARS has a zero tolerance for tax crime and illicit trade and will pursue offenders relentlessly, according to SARS Deputy Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu.
- Illicit trade robs the government of much-needed revenue and destroys industries, exacerbating unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
- An inter-agency working group (IAWG) has been set up to deal with all aspects of illicit trade.
- SARS has put in place measures to grant benefits to compliant traders through the Accredited Economic Operator Model, including cost-savings and quicker turnaround times.