Anti-crime activist declares war on tax crooks at the launch of a new campaign to lock up the criminals who loot South Africa of more than R100m every day.
2 December 2019 – IT IS time for ordinary citizens to join the fight against criminals who are looting South Africa of R100 million every day, anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee said on Monday.
Abramjee has founded Tax Justice South Africa to campaign for the prosecution and imprisonment of illicit traders enriching themselves with money that should be spent on improving the nation.
In an interview on Voice Of The Cape FM, Abramjee said: “It’s no secret that these tax dodgers are getting away with what I call daylight robbery. Our fiscus is losing about R100 million each and every day as a result of illicit trade, people dealing in illegal cigarettes, illegal medicines, counterfeit goods; whether it’s the textile industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry.
“Our country is suffering: we know there’s a massive need for basic services, we know there’s a massive need for essential services such as schools and clinics and hospitals, but little is being done, in our view, to get these people behind bars.
“These people are committing crime, they are involved in money laundering, they’re involved in all sorts of illegal activities, and it’s time for the South African Revenue Service, the police service, our government to take a very firm stand. We want the government to make sure that these people are locked up – and we say, follow the money.
“And I think it’s very important that we are very clear in terms of getting members of the public to also blow the whistle on those involved in the illicit trade. SARS has a hotline – you can report any wrongdoing online. For far too long, we’ve protected these people, we’ve kept quiet. But now the time has come for us to really stand up and to make our voices heard and we have to say, ‘Enough is enough’.”
Notes to Editor
The establishment of Tax Justice South Africa is a rallying cry to the people and to Government to take action against organised criminal gangs that are plundering South Africa.
Founded by Yusuf Abramjee, Tax Justice South Africa is campaigning for a lawful and prosperous South Africa and for urgent action against criminals who steal billions in legally due taxes every year.
Every day approximately R100 million is looted from South Africa by criminal tax evaders, undermining the Government and the rule of law, and robbing its people of a brighter future.
Tax Justice South Africa will work to raise awareness of this national menace and show how these stolen funds could be used to build a better nation.
The campaign is supported by Makali Lepholisa, former Commissioner for Customs in Lesotho, and Andy Mashaile, Interpol Turn Back Crime Ambassador, who join Yusuf as the Directors of Tax Justice South Africa.
#LockThemUp
For media queries contact Yusuf Abramjee, yusuf@taxjusticesa.co.za and +27 82 441 4203