Sars gets ahead of the ‘bad guys’

LEONARD NEILL THE DEVELOPMENT of a new intelligence system, involving both people and computers, is now helping South African Revenue Services (Sars) to tackle all forms of smuggling in and out of the country, says Sars commissioner Pravin Gordhan. The focus recently has been on clearing agents, importers and transporters, he says. But now Sars can identify the people involved and lay criminal rather than civil charges against them. A risk profile division has been established to identify those most likely to be involved in smuggling operations. “We are developing the ability to identify who the chief troublemakers are and where the consignments come from,” says Gordhan.