Latest news with #R100m
IOL News
19-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's illicit trade crisis: Tobacco, alcohol, and fashion industries under siege
Illicit trading has emerged as a staggering threat to various industries in South Africa, with the black market for both cigarettes and alcohol reaching unprecedented levels. Illicit trading has emerged as a staggering threat to various industries in South Africa, with the black market for both cigarettes and alcohol reaching unprecedented levels. Illicit trading has emerged as one of the most pressing issues facing South Africa, pervading various sectors of the economy and costing the nation billions in lost tax revenue. At the forefront of this crisis are illicit cigarettes, now reaching record high levels in terms of market presence. Research conducted by Ipsos reveals a shocking statistic: more than 76.7% of shops across the country now sell cigarettes below the minimum tax threshold applicable on a standard pack of 20. This trend coincides with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's aim for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to collect an additional R20 billion in tax revenue for the financial year, an effort aimed at circumventing new tax measures in the upcoming 2026 budget. Johnny Moloto, Area Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs for BAT South Africa, stressed the urgency of the situation. 'With the clock ticking for SARS to collect at least an extra R20bn, these results from Ipsos show the need for immediate steps to plug the leaks in tobacco tax collection,' he emphasised. Moloto further revealed that the illicit cigarette trade costs the country an estimated R28bn annually, equating to R100m lost every working day, surpassing SARS's entire additional collection target. 'Despite increased enforcement activity over the past year, including more raids and product seizures, illicit products remain as available as ever, suggesting that current tactics are failing to address the root causes of tax evasion. Our analysis indicates that the illicit cigarette trade costs South Africa approximately R28bn annually – R100m every working day – representing more revenue than SARS's entire additional collection target. Eliminating this leakage would protect law-abiding taxpayers from bearing additional tax burdens,' said Moloto. While illicit cigarettes have been noted as a growing concern, the Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) released new research revealing a sharp increase in the illicit alcohol market, which has grown by 55% in volume since 2017. Conducted by Euromonitor International, the research highlights the growing threats illegal alcohol poses to public health and safety, as well as the significant loss of national tax revenue. 'This study is a wake-up call. Communities are being exposed to harmful, unregulated alcohol, and the country is losing billions in revenue. It is urgent that government, industry, and civil society work together to tackle this issue head-on,' warned Dr Shamal Ramesar, Head of Research at DF-SA. Ramesar urged collaboration among government, industry, and civil society to tackle this pressing issue effectively and further called for coordinated action to promote responsible consumption, shut down illegal producers, and raise public awareness regarding the inherent dangers of illicit alcohol. Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African, also highlighted how the prevalence of these illegal practices is crippling the already-stressed local fashion industry. 'For the local fashion industry, illicit trade has domino effects: It leads to job losses in the value chain of the fashion industry, distorts the market by forcing local producers to compete unfairly with illicit traders who incur lower production costs, encourages widespread copyright infringements, deprives the creatives of their hard-earned revenue, compels legitimate entrepreneurs to compete with illegal traders who sell similar but substandard products without complying with safety, health or environment-related requirements, breeds precarious employment where labour regulations are disregarded, deprives the fiscus of much-needed tax revenue, and puts downward pressure on wages and salaries in the fashion industry labour market,' Mashimbye stated. In light of these challenges, industry leaders rallied to march on behalf of the fashion sector, submitting memorandums to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the National Clothing Retail Federation (NCRF). These memorandums were a clarion call for authorities to intensify efforts against counterfeit goods to safeguard jobs and local production. At the Buy Local Summit and Expo, Mashimbye expressed the importance of protecting South Africa's invaluable fashion industry, estimated to be worth over $11bn (R197bn). 'We not only have a moral obligation to protect the sector; it makes economic sense to do so,' he said. In its commitment to combat the increasing threats posed by illicit trade, SARS has reiterated its dedication to revenue collection and facilitating legitimate trade. According to the agency, the illicit economy undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust, and enacts a substantial toll on national security. 'The illicit economy is a global phenomenon that threatens South Africa's society, economy, and national security. Tax evasion, smuggling, illegal transactions, illicit manufacturing, and fraud undermine the rule of law, erode public trust, distort markets, deprive governments of revenue, and enable corruption and organised crime. The pervasiveness of these illicit activities in our country demands that all enforcement agencies work jointly to curb their harmful practices. The illicit economy is complex and requires a whole-of-government response among public entities, the private sector, civil society, and international partners.' SARS revealed it is working with other law enforcement agencies to combat the scourge of the illicit economy. Saturday Star
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Free scoliosis surgery changes young woman's life in Meadowlands
Moved by a patient's condition and resilience, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Zwelibanzi Zondo volunteered to perform a complex scoliosis surgery pro bono, changing a young patient's life, at the Clinix Tshepo Themba Private Hospital in Meadowlands on February 19. Scoliosis is characterised by an abnormal curvature of the spine, which can significantly affect posture, breathing and overall quality of life. In severe cases, surgical correction becomes a necessity, but it is costly and highly specialised. For many without medical aid, it remains out of reach. ALSO READ: Mental health outreach brings support to youth The patient, a 28-year-old woman, had lived with scoliosis for most of her life. From a young age, she led an active lifestyle, participating in various sports. After being diagnosed, physical activities became a challenge. 'I became less active due to a constant fear of injuring myself or worsening the condition,' she explained. As a crop production student, her in-service training highlighted the toll scoliosis took on daily life. As agriculture is a physically demanding field, she often endured unbearable pain in silence. 'I had to discreetly take breaks or excuse myself because I had to live with it,' she said. Zondo stated, 'I saw not just a curved spine, but a life waiting to be restored. Pro bono work should be part of our culture in medicine, not as charity, but as responsibility.' ALSO READ: Diepkloof hosts community kidney health awareness day Since the surgery, the patient has noticed significant improvements in her posture and some relief from chronic pain. 'Recovery is still ongoing, and I do still experience pain and discomfort at times', she stated. 'Emotionally, I'm slowly rebuilding my confidence. The surgery has been life-changing. It has not only improved my physical condition but given me a renewed sense of hope.' Hospital manager Tendai Makwabarara praised the collaborative effort that made the surgery possible. 'At the Clinix Tshepo Themba, we believe in making world-class healthcare available to those who need it most', he said. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health gets R100m to fix hospital equipment, ease laundry delays 'Dr Zondo's compassion and dedication align perfectly with our mission to serve the community with dignity and care.' While scoliosis surgery is one of his specialities, Zondo also treats a range of spinal and orthopaedic conditions. His practice is not only rooted in surgical excellence but also in a steadfast commitment to equitable healthcare. To book an appointment, call 072 792 5792. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
11-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
SA Rugby safeguards another multi-faceted partnership
Earlier this year, SA Rugby announced that the organisation was 'set to buck the global trend and report a profit of more than R100m for 2025'. With the state of the game in rude health at the moment, led by the flagship success of the Springboks, the financial outlook looks to be highly encouraging in the near and long-term, with strong revenues forecast for 2026. Just this week SA Rugby also announced on that its partnership with the Freddy Hirsch Group (FHG) has been renewed for four more years, while the agreement has been expanded to include all of South Africa's national rugby teams. In addition to continuing its support of the Springboks, Freddy Hirsch will extend its partnership to include the Springbok Women, Blitzboks, Springbok Women's Sevens, and the junior national teams (youth and U20 sides) for men and women. Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, welcomed the renewal of the partnership with FHG, which was first formed in 2023 as the governing body continues to celebrate wins on and off the field. 'Braai is an integral part of the South African rugby experience, and Freddy Hirsch has already proven to be an outstanding partner for the Springboks, and we're thrilled that they have chosen to expand their support across all our teams. 'We look forward to four more years of this innovative and inclusive partnership.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
01-07-2025
- The Herald
Trio in R100m perlemoen racket acquitted
News No evidence accused knew their shipping containers held illegal goods, judge rules Premium By Guy Rogers and Kathryn Kimberley - 01 July 2025 Three suspects accused of involvement in a R100m perlemoen racket have walked free after a judge ruled there was no evidence proving they knew their shipping containers contained the illegal mollusc. Kai Ou Yang, Chu-Kai Chang and Blue Fin Marine Trading, represented by Ou Yang's wife, Hsien-Chu, were accused of trying to illegally export about 40 tonnes of perlemoen, worth R100m, in shipping containers destined for China...
TimesLIVE
30-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Woolworths scales up support to empower SA entrepreneurs
In celebration of Youth Month, Woolworths' Inclusive Justice Initiative has proudly announced that its successful Youth Makers competition will return for a second season. This innovative contest invites dynamic young entrepreneurs aged 18-35 to apply for a tailor-made empowerment programme that will give them an opportunity to take their enterprises to the next level. Winners will receive once-in-a-lifetime mentorship from Woolies experts, bespoke leadership and retail guidance, and a whopping R125,000 in grant funding to help each business scale and succeed in the retail world. The programme is designed to lay strong foundations for retail success and long-term business sustainability. This exciting announcement comes shortly after the launch of the Woolworths Inclusive Justice Institute, a major milestone for the business and a powerful new initiative. The institute will unlock market access opportunities, enable inclusion, and address inequality through support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and impactful community programmes that address food security and contribute to quality basic education. 'Our purpose as a business has always been to add quality to life — not only for our customers but also in the communities where we operate,' said Woolworths Group CEO Roy Bagattini. 'The launch of the Inclusive Justice Institute aligns with our vision to be one of the world's most responsible retailers. It underscores our deep commitment to enabling meaningful social justice outcomes in SA.' The launch of the Inclusive Justice Institute aligns with our vision to be one of the world's most responsible retailers. It underscores our deep commitment to enabling meaningful social justice outcomes in SA Woolworths Group CEO Roy Bagattini As part of the institute's establishment, Woolworths has doubled its MSME fund to R200m. In the spirit of collaboration for inclusive growth, Land and Agricultural Development Bank of SA (Land Bank) has committed an additional R100m in funding for emerging farmers — bringing the total funding to R300m. The institute is home to two dedicated nonprofit companies, the Enterprise Inclusive Justice Institute (EIJI) and the Community Inclusive Justice Institute (CIJI). The EIJI will drive MSME development and economic inclusion and play a key role in nurturing MSMEs into sustainable businesses. The CIJI will focus on strengthening Woolworths' social impact programmes aimed at addressing food security, quality basic education, and community resilience — all crucial pillars of economic inclusion and long-term impact. Speaking at the launch event, minister of small business development Stella Ndabeni praised the initiative: 'The Woolworths Inclusive Justice Institute points us in the right direction. It's a practical demonstration of how a leading retailer can empower small enterprises. A vision like this resonates with everything we stand for — and Woolworths has a partner in us.' Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworths director of Corporate Social Justice, highlighted how the institute builds on the retailer's long-standing socioeconomic development work. 'Our support for MSMEs has stimulated economic growth by helping beneficiaries expand and create employment. Through partnerships with NGOs, we've helped communities grow food and achieve self-sufficiency, while our education programmes continue to uplift under-resourced schools, promote child safety, and empower young learners to reach their potential.' Mgolodela added: 'The youth hold the key to SA's future, and we're proud to be investing in their potential. Empowering young entrepreneurs not only changes individual lives — it transforms communities and strengthens the broader economy.'
