An inter-governmental search and seizure operation across five provinces was carried out by SARS today, to break the back of a sophisticated criminal syndicate of alleged coal-smugglers, who played a major role in exacerbating the energy crisis and loadshedding. SARS says, the alleged coal-smugglers and their related entities are active and have a presence in: Gauteng; Mpumalanga; KwaZulu-Natal; the Free State and Limpopo. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) was the lead agency in today’s search and seizure operation because information became available regarding a host of tax crimes allegedly committed by members of the coal-smuggling syndicate. The success of this operation is due to exceptional inter-governmental co-operation and information-sharing under the auspices of the NATJOINTS Energy Safety & Security Priority Committee tasked with unmasking and bringing to book the criminals that have caused economic hardship and personal hardship to all citizens of the country. SARS in a statement says, these targeted operations also help to prevent the loss of revenue to the fiscus, which in this case amounted to more than R500-million. The suspects targeted today, include former Eskom employees who facilitated procurement fraud, as well as other individuals involved in the diversion of high-grade coal.
Journalist: Rene Julies
Email: rckjulies@gmail.com