... but dishonest officials
will be targeted
CUSTOMS BLAMES misunderstanding by newspapers for the reported corruption scandal and denies that any list of suspected persons in SARS exists.
This follows reports of a crime force investigation into corruption at customs, and one female customs official charged with having accepted a R14 000 bribe from an agent.
There was also an alleged hit list of suspects in SARS, with as many as 90 names said to have been recorded.
However, according to customs media spokesman, Bheki Zwane, much of this stemmed from a press conference two weeks ago addressed by SARS' Pravin Gordhan.
At this, said Zwane, Gordhan highlighted certain areas of industry presently under investigation.
One, currently reaching a climax, is into the electronics industry. The other, due to follow, into the clothing and textiles sector.
He also suggested that some arrests had been made, said Zwane, and that involvement by customs was also being investigated as part of this.
Zwane also acknowledged that a Karen Fourie had been arrested in the raids of two weeks ago. In connection with tax criminalities, he said.
Zwane is adamant that there is no corruption blitz at customs. But he stated that any officials uncovered in an investigation would be dealt with.
People, he added, wherever they come from, will be charged if they are found to be involved.
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