Yusuf Abramjee on cigarette ban: Instead of running to IMF, govt should stop R4bn illicit trade

Yusuf Abramjee, the founder of Tax Justice South Africa, has filed an affidavit in the Western Cape High Court in support of a bid by British American Tobacco (BATSA) to overturn the four-month-old cigarette ban. The economy has already lost over R4bn in indirect taxes, and thousands of people have lost their jobs. Abramjee, who is no stranger to campaigning against illegal trade, hopes that common sense will finally prevail. "The case, which will be heard on 5 and 6 August, is a choice between protecting honest citizens and their constitutional rights or allowing criminals to continue coining it in a booming tobacco black market." Abramjee joins BizNews founder Alec Hogg to discuss the importance of the case and the extent of illicit trade happening under our noses. - Claire Badenhorst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices