SARS
The Customs division of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) started to destroy illicitly smuggled cigarettes valued at R43 million at the Beitbridge border post.
SARS Deputy Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu says the process started at the Beitbridge border post on Monday and is expected to last for a few days.
He says the roughly 20 million cigarettes were seized in multi-agency operations supported by the SANDF and the Hawks.
SARS has a zero-tolerance policy for persons and organizations involved in the illicit trade and said they will pursue them relentlessly.
There is a strategic Intent of promoting voluntary compliance among taxpayers.
Makhubu says the focus is not only on illicit cigarettes but also on the illicit import of second-hand motor vehicles, poultry, clothing, leather, textiles and essential infrastructure such as copper, steel and gold.
He says they have measures to grant benefits to compliant traders, which include cost-savings and quicker turnaround times.
SARS is also busy implementing SAMRT border technology to increase its detection capability and response to non-compliance.
Makhubu says since their investigations started focusing on the illicit cigarette trade, they have noticed a shift in the way it is being traded, by the increasing use of "runners".
He says runners are ordinary unemployed individuals being used and exploited by organised criminal syndicates.
