By REGINALD KANYANE
12 November 2025- The Tax Justice SA (TJSA) is urging the government to follow through with criminal prosecutions after the tax authority suspended the licences of three cigarette manufacturers in a long-overdue move against illicit trade. TJSA said the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced the move during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament on Wednesday, saying the government is intensifying its clampdown on criminals looting South Africa of R28 billion a year in tobacco excise taxes alone.
TJSA founder, Yusuf Abramjee welcomed the announcement as a positive development, but said it must be followed by strong enforcement and arrests. Abramjee said this is good news and the government needs to go out in full force and stop the illicit trade that is robbing the nation of revenue and destroying legitimate businesses.
“Revoking these licences is a step in the right direction, but it must be backed by criminal charges and visible action. Godongwana also confirmed that Cabinet has approved a plan for all agencies to work together to combat the criminal networks behind illicit trade.
“Now, we need to see action. It’s critical that this collaboration produces real results. That means the kingpins involved in the illicit trade must be arrested, charged and put behind bars. And the money they’ve stolen must be returned to the South African people, to whom it belongs,” he said.
Abramjee further said, despite the Al Jazeera Gold Mafia exposé almost three years ago, no arrests have been made. He added that any of those implicated in multi-billion-rand money laundering, smuggling and other illegal activities, are still enjoying the fortunes they allegedly made through those crimes.
He said if the government is serious about restoring trust and cleaning up the economy, criminals must face justice.
The Guardian 