SARS allowed to monitor tobacco warehouses via CCTV

JOHANNESBURG – The high court in Pretoria has green lit the South African Revenue Service’s bid to install CCTV monitoring equipment at warehouses operated by tobacco manufacturers.

This is aimed at curbing the illicit trade of tobacco products that resulted in a significant tax gap costing SARS and the fiscus approximately R8 billion.

However, the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association – which represents 80 percent of licensed cigarette manufacturers in Southern Africa – says this is a violation of privacy.

We spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, who is chairperson of FITA, for a reaction.