EIGHT warehouses in Durban selling illegal second-hand imported vehicles were shut down by police and the South African Revenue Service on Friday.
The crackdown comes after the two joined forces to rid the car sales market of what they called "an illegal scheme".
Nine warehouses, believed to be operated by illegal importers, were visited during the week-long operation.
"SARS suspects the warehouses are part of an illegal scheme whereby second-hand cars are imported to South Africa from Asian countries for the purpose of exporting for sale these vehicles to neighbouring and other African countries.
"The vehicles in this scheme never leave the country and are eventually sold to unsuspecting South African citizens," said SARS spokesperson Sibabalwenathi Mfabe.
He said a total of 46 cars valued at more than R1, 8million were confiscated. The confiscated cars were seized by the state because "they have exceeded the maximum time they are permitted to stay at a bonded warehouse", said Mfabe.
He said SARS was keeping an eye on owners of second-hand cars that have been imported into South Africa irregularly.
Mfabe said the Customs and Excise Act made it clear that the owners of illegally or irregularly imported cars and not the importers would face the full might of the law if caught.
"SARS appeals to consumers to purchase their second-hand vehicles from reputable and trusted importers, with whom they can confirm the origin or source of a second-hand vehicle they intend to purchase," he said.
Illegal vehicle dealers busted
EIGHT warehouses in Durban selling illegal second-hand imported vehicles were shut down by police and the South African Revenue Service on Friday.
The crackdown comes after the two joined forces to rid the car sales market of what they called "an illegal scheme".
Nine warehouses, believed to be operated by illegal importers, were visited during the week-long operation.
"SARS suspects the warehouses are part of an illegal scheme whereby second-hand cars are imported to South Africa from Asian countries for the purpose of exporting for sale these vehicles to neighbouring and other African countries.
"The vehicles in this scheme never leave the country and are eventually sold to unsuspecting South African citizens," said SARS spokesperson Sibabalwenathi Mfabe.
He said a total of 46 cars valued at more than R1, 8million were confiscated. The confiscated cars were seized by the state because "they have exceeded the maximum time they are permitted to stay at a bonded warehouse", said Mfabe.
He said SARS was keeping an eye on owners of second-hand cars that have been imported into South Africa irregularly.
Mfabe said the Customs and Excise Act made it clear that the owners of illegally or irregularly imported cars and not the importers would face the full might of the law if caught.
"SARS appeals to consumers to purchase their second-hand vehicles from reputable and trusted importers, with whom they can confirm the origin or source of a second-hand vehicle they intend to purchase," he said.
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