The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has confirmed the detention of five vessels involved in the fuel bunkering supply chain as a result of its investigations into the activities off the coast of the country.
Sars said in a statement on Wednesday that it had been engaging with the fuel industry to encourage compliance with legislation concerning the importation, trading and other operational activities of vessels engaged in the supply of fuel.
The tax authority confirmed that the vessels had been detained last week in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 91 of 1964.
“Alongside these engagements, Sars has also been conducting investigations around compliance in fuel bunkering, and the detention of the vessels … is part of this on-going investigation,” Sars said.
It is understood that the vessels are detained in Ngqura or at anchorage in Algoa Bay.
Sars said the detention of the vessels had been undertaken in line with “the normal course of investigating” whether the provisions of the Act have been contravened.
“It said it was of the view that the detention is lawful but since the investigation is ongoing, no decision to seize the vessels has been taken.
The authority’s commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, said: “Sars is obliged to administer the law fairly, without fear, favour or prejudice and to conduct investigations in a responsible manner in accordance with a fair procedure.
“Sars has no interest in jeopardising economic growth nor of contributing to the problem of unemployment, poverty and inequality.”
Kieswetter implored taxpayers and traders to comply with tax and customs obligations. He said Sars would not hesitate to act firmly and robustly to ensure that non-compliance is hard and costly for those who wilfully and intentionally ignore their obligations.
“The clarion call to all taxpayers and traders is – comply or face the consequences,” Kieswetter said
The South African Maritime Safety Authority declined to comment on the vessel detentions, preferring instead to refer questions regarding where the vessels are being held and the impact on the crew to Sars and the ship owners.
