'National Emergency' Tax Justice SA warns country losing R250m daily to illicit trade

SOUTH Africa is losing more than R250 million every day to criminals in the shadow economy, Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) said, calling for illicit trade to be declared a national emergency.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI

“Every rand looted results in a school not built, a hospital not equipped, a home not delivered,’ said Yusuf Abramjee, founder of Tax Justice SA. “This crisis is stealing the future from our people”

Illicit cigarettes alone cost the country an estimated R28 billion a year, while illicit alcohol contributes to losses of about R16.5 billion annually, according to the organisation.