Input welcomed on fraudulent activity
Joy Orlek
SARS CUSTOMS has served up a bitter pill for errant sweet importers accused of undervaluation, double invoicing and false invoicing.
It’s been part of a joint campaign harnessing the expertise of industry players who have provided an insight into the schemes employed by their unscrupulous colleagues.
The investigations have led to major interventions in Gauteng and Cape Town resulting in eight busts since November last year.
Says Customs general manager, Vuso Shabalala: “We know who the major players are in these scams and we will be vigorous in our efforts to get rid of the culprits involved.”
In most of the cases no administrative settlement was offered, says Shabalala, demonstrating Customs’ zero-tolerance approach.
“The industry is helping us by training Customs officers in the finer intricacies of this industry, so enabling us to do our job better. We encourage clearing and forwarding agents, buyers and the public in general to report to us people they suspect of involvement in any fraudulent activity,” says Shabalala.
