# Tax Justice SA has urged the government to declare illicit trade a national emergency after a new African Union report revealed South Africa loses over 250-million-rand daily to criminal syndicates. Illicit cigarettes cost 28-billion-rand annually, while illegal alcohol drains 16.5-billion-rand. Founder Yusuf Abramjee warned the crisis robs citizens of schools, hospitals, and homes, blaming weak enforcement and political apathy. He says criminals act with impunity while South Africans pay the price, demanding urgent government action.
Tax Justice SA calls for illicit trade to be declared a national emergency