The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has seized illicit cigarettes from a number of Cape Town traders valued at R6 million.
The SARS Customs National Rapid Response Team,
together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), seized the consignment
on Thursday.
In a statement, the revenue collector said the
raid saw 443 master cases, each containing 50 cartons of various brands of
cigarettes, seized in the intelligence-driven operation.
SARS said the operation was part of its
heightened focus on illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products to protect
the local industry and broader economy.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the
import of illicit cigarettes and other goods such as clothing and textiles,
counterfeit medicines or remedies, as well as second hand motor vehicles,
amongst others, destroys local industry and contributes to job losses.
“These activities also rob the country of much
needed revenue that enables government to deliver basic services to the poor
and vulnerable, such as old age pensions, and offer relief to struggling
businesses and their employees following the recent riots,” Kieswetter said in
a statement.
Kieswetter said there were also health risks
for consumers, as illegally imported cigarettes do not comply with South
African health regulations and pose a serious health risk to smokers.
“SARS has a mandate to facilitate legitimate
trade and will not tolerate illicit trade that harms our economy and our
people, which is aligned with our strategic objective to make it hard and
costly for those who do not comply with our tax and customs and excise
legislation,” he added.
Done By: Mitchum George
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