In just three months in 2019, SARS uncovered more than R1 billion of illegally imported goods, many of which were illegal clothing and textiles.
The illegal textile industry is undermining South African jobs
The illegal textile industry is undermining South African jobs
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The importing of illegal clothing and textile products is destroying local businesses and costing jobs. The South African textile industry shrank from 210,000 formal sector jobs in the 2000s to 90,000 jobs in 2017.
Under declaration of customs values has increased by 63% in a few short years, from R5.2 billion in 2014 to R8.52 billion in 2018. R6.76 billion worth of counterfeit clothing, footwear, handbags and illegal textiles was seized by SARS between 2016 and 2019, with more than 6,000 seizures being conducted by SARS over this time period.
The problem has been recognised by President Ramaphosa, who recently told the Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union that “when we allow illicit goods to come in it undermines you, it undercuts you, and it destroys your jobs.”
Illicit Industries
Medicines
Illegal medicines cause thousands of deaths each year in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the WHO and other health organisations.
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