FREIGHT & TRADING WEEKLY
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The Freight Community’s Weekly Newspaper for Import / Export decision makers – on subscription
FRIDAY 7 May 2010 NO. 1909
Concerns raised over ‘draconian’ penalties in new Customs bills No feedback yet from Sars By Liesl Venter The application of penalties for companies found contravening the new Customs bills remains a major concern to the freight forwarding industry. According to Johan Marais, South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) Customs consultant, concerns about the proposed penalty code have been raised with Sars but as yet there’s been no feedback. “As the new Customs Control Bill, Customs Duty Bill and Excise Bill stand now, any company found to be in contravention more
than three times will lose its licence and will not be allowed to operate,” Marais told delegates at the Saaff annual general meeting in Johannesburg last week. “We believe this to be draconian and unacceptable and have communicated this to Sars. At present though there has been no feedback.” Currently a company found contravening the Customs Act is given a choice of a fine, which is related to the seriousness of the matter, or criminal charges. Should a company pay the fine the matter is then automatically concluded. Under the new To page 12
Johan Marais and Freek van Rooyen … ‘Process far from being finalised.’
Motlohi leaves CT for Durban By Ray Smuts The favourable wind of change blowing through Cape Town Container
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Terminal is set to continue, despite last week’s shock disclosure that business unit executive, Moshe Motlohi, is calling it a day
after only three months in the vitally important portfolio. “It is true I have requested an assignment
in Durban and this has fortunately been granted, the reason personal, related to my son’s ill health.” Motlohi, who has four
children, told FTW. “His condition requires constant monitoring and supervision by my wife and To page 12