ABRAMJEE VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT TOBACCO TRADE
JOHANNESBURG – Tax Justice South Africa founder Yusuf Abramjee says he will not be intimidated after documents placed before the Madlanga Commission allegedly revealed threats against him linked to his campaign against the illicit tobacco trade.
The documents reportedly refer to WhatsApp exchanges involving senior police officer Major-General Feroz Khan and tobacco businessman Mohamed Sayed. According to the material before the commission, the alleged conversations took place after Abramjee publicly raised concerns about cigarette brands allegedly being sold without the required tax payments.
The messages allegedly included remarks directed at Abramjee, with Khan accused of encouraging action against him and warning that he should “stay in his lane”.
Abramjee said the allegations highlight the power and reach of networks allegedly linked to South Africa’s illicit tobacco market, which he says continues to cost the country billions of rand in lost tax revenue every year.
He maintained that the latest revelations would not stop him from exposing corruption, organised crime and illicit trade networks operating in the country.
The anti-crime activist said attempts to silence critics of the tobacco industry were not new. He referred to a R40 million lawsuit brought against him by Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation in 2019 after his public criticism of the illicit cigarette trade. The matter was later removed from the court roll.
The developments come as the South African Revenue Service continues to pursue action against Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation and its directors, Simon Rudland and Ebrahim Adamjee, over allegations involving large-scale tax evasion and transnational money laundering.
Abramjee also raised concerns about Carnilinx Tobacco, where Sayed serves as chief operating officer alongside co-director Adriano Mazzotti. He questioned why some figures in the tobacco industry continue to resist stronger monitoring and oversight measures aimed at curbing illegal cigarette trading.
He said South Africans were entitled to ask why certain industry stakeholders oppose greater transparency at a time when authorities are trying to strengthen the fight against the illegal cigarette market.
Abramjee, who recently received the National Press Club/UNISA TV Journalist of the Year Award alongside journalist Pule Letshwiti-Jones, said the Madlanga Commission should be allowed to complete its work.
He added that all allegations emerging from the inquiry must be thoroughly investigated.
Abramjee said the fight against illicit trade was bigger than any individual. He described it as a battle to protect the rule of law, support honest law enforcement officials and prevent organised crime from gaining influence over state institutions.
