File
The South African Revenue Service said dozens of illegally imported second-hand cars will be destroyed on Tuesday to send a strong message that activities will not be tolerated by the government.
SARS said the proliferation of second-hand motor vehicles into the country from Europe, Asia and the rest of Africa has become a serious risk to the survival of the legitimate motor vehicle industry in the country.
“Illegal activities such as smuggling of second-hand vehicles ultimately has negative consequences on the economy of the country,” the revenue collection agency said.
SARS said since November the Inter-Agency Working Group on the Illicit Trade, which includes the South African Revenue Service, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, as well as other law enforcement agencies, started crushing 57 illegally imported vehicles from the first week of November.
“The crushing of the illegally imported vehicles is a warning to those that continue to practice this illegal act. And for unsuspecting buyers, make sure that what you are paying for is legal, otherwise, your vehicle could be confiscated by the state,” says SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Nomalungelo Gina, says government will stop at nothing when confronting this scourge in order to protect local manufacturing, which contributes more than 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creates employment.
