Tax Justice SA calls for stronger laws after sentencing for illicit cigarette trafficking

TAX Justice South Africa (TJSA) has called for sweeping new laws targeting tax crime and illicit cigarette trafficking following the sentencing of a foreign national to 13 years behind bars in Limpopo.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

The organisation said the sentence should mark a turning point in South Africa's fight against illicit trade, warning that weak penalties and ineffective enforcement continue to cost the country billions in lost tax revenue every year.

TJSA leader Yusuf Abramjee said illicit cigarettes have become one of the biggest threats to the country’s economy and called on the government to prioritise the crackdown on illegal tobacco networks.

“Illicit cigarettes are the engine room of the illicit economy that loots the state of vital revenue, robs children of their future and threatens the health and safety of our most vulnerable,” said Abramjee.

The call follows the sentencing of 56-year-old Toni Nathaniel Gumbo by the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court last week Wednesday after he was convicted of possession of illicit cigarettes and contravening the Immigration Act.

Police intercepted Gumbo on the R516 in the Tuinplaas policing area after acting on intelligence about a white Ford Ranger allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes from Musina to Gauteng.