South African Tobacco Company Under Investigation for Tax Evasion

Aug.29.2022
South African Tobacco Company Under Investigation for Tax Evasion
South Africa's tax authority has imposed a restraining order on Gold Leaf Tobacco and its directors for tax evasion.

Gold Leaf Tobacco Company is one of South Africa's largest cigarette companies.


The South African Revenue Service has obtained a protective order against Gold Leaf Tobacco company and its directors Simon Rudland and Ebrahim Adamjee.


The order was approved by the High Court of the Province of North Howden, blocking tobacco manufacturers and their directors from selling any assets, while tax authorities continue to investigate tax evasion.


In a statement issued by SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, he stated that the non-compliant taxpayers' actions are depriving the government of legitimate resources and harming the nation and South African public.


When dealing with this menace, SARS will continue to carry out its mission without fear, favor or prejudice.


According to a report from "The Little Cow Daily," SARS investigators have informed the court that they have evidence that Jin Ye participated in money laundering and may owe up to 3 billion rand in undeclared income tax, value-added tax, and other taxes.


The publication reported that SARS has requested the court to freeze the assets of Rudland and Adamjee as the assets of Gold Leaf alone may not be enough to repay their potential debt to SARS. Both directors deny any wrongdoing.


Founder of Tax Justice SA, Yusuf Abramjee, said that the protection order was a "significant breakthrough in the fight against the illicit cigarette trade".


He said that for more than a decade, as the illegal cigarette trade in South Africa has grown into a destructive national threat, GLTC has consistently been a primary suspect.


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