eFinder

eFinder

Home › Corporate Compliance › Article

Illegal plastic bag trade dodges R1bn in taxes

Timeslive · · 1075 words · By Khulekani Magubane
Corporate Compliance Tax Evasion and Illicit Trade Environmental Sustainability

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) is addressing ongoing tax evasion regarding environmental levies on plastic bags, which has resulted in an estimated R1bn loss over five years. The article details Sars' strategy to hold retailers and distributors liable and includes perspectives from Plastics SA and SPAR regarding compliance and sustainability.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://timeslive.co.za/news/business/2026-05-09-illegal-plastic-bag-trade-dodge…

analyticsAnalysis

20%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

12 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 6
check_circle Corroborated 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
schedule Pending 2
check_circle
“Sars uncovered and intervened against plastic producers and wholesalers accused of withholding the environmental levy on supermarket plastic bags in 2022”
CORROBORATED
The claim is supported by a news report regarding illegal plastic bag trade and a specific High Court case (Premier Plastics (Pty) Ltd v The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service) from 2022 concerning environmental levies.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Years after the SA Revenue Service (Sars) uncovered and intervened against plastic producers and wholesalers accused of withholding the environmental levy on supermarket plastic bags, the practice app…
https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/business/2026-05-09-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA GAUTENG LOCAL DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG Case No: 9726/2021 REPORTABLE: YES OF INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES: YES REVISED. 2022/7/28 In the matter bet…
https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZAGPJHC/2022/755.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 August 2022 - Customs & Excise Act, 1964 1 August 2022 - Customs & Excise Act, 1964 Premier Plastics (Pty) Ltd v CSARS (9726/2021) [2022] ZAGPJHC (28 July 2022) Whether the Commissioner was correct …
https://www.sars.gov.za/latest-news/legal-counsel-dispute-re…
info
“the non-payment of the 32c on plastic bags persists”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web results for this claim are generic articles about environmental issues and do not mention the specific 32c levy or its non-payment in South Africa.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Environmental issues are disruptions in the usual function of ecosystems. [1] . Further, these issues can be caused by humans (human impact on the environment) [2] or they can be natural.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 27, 2026 · EPA's resources on environmental issues include research, basics, what you can do, and an index covering more specific terms.
https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Earth Day reminds us of the biggest environmental issues and their drivers. Here are 5 interesting Earth Day facts and how we can all do our part to help and support the environment. From Earth.Org’s …
https://earth.org/
info
“For the 2024/25 financial year, the government collected R698.71m from the environmental levy on plastic bags.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific figure of R698.71m for the 2024/25 financial year is mentioned in one news source ('Illegal plastic bag trade dodges R1bn in taxes'), but not corroborated by other independent sources in the provided evidence.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The name "South Africa" is derived from the country's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation, the country was named the Union of South Africa in English and Unie van Zuid-Af…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — For the 2024/25 financial year, the government collected R698.71m from the environmental levy on plastic bags. Sars estimates that revenue leakage within the value chain amounts to about R1bn over the…
https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/business/2026-05-09-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary.Employment and Labour. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Finance. Higher Education…
https://www.gov.za/about-government/government-system/struct…
info
“Sars estimates that revenue leakage within the value chain amounts to about R1bn over the past five years.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The estimate of R1bn revenue leakage over five years is mentioned in the same single news source as claim 2. Other search results for 'SARS' returned information about the virus, not the revenue service.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1, the first identified strain of the SARS-related coronavirus. The first known …
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious illness caused by a coronavirus. It′s a disease that affects the lungs and airways, also called a respiratory illness. The coronavirus that cau…
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sars/symptoms…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 18, 2024 · Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-coronavirus. While SARS cases were detected as early as November 2002 as part of an outbreak tha…
https://www.who.int/health-topics/severe-acute-respiratory-s…
info
“Sars started engaging and formalising partnerships with various agencies in the criminal justice system, trade and industry bodies, academics, research institutions, and private sector representatives — including Business Against Crime and private groupings — as part of the Expanded Illicit Economy Strategy 2025/26”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for this claim returned information about the SARS virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) rather than the South African Revenue Service's strategy.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1, the first identified strain of the SARS-related coronavirus. The first known …
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious illness caused by a coronavirus. It′s a disease that affects the lungs and airways, also called a respiratory illness. The coronavirus that cau…
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sars/symptoms…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 18, 2024 · Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-coronavirus. While SARS cases were detected as early as November 2002 as part of an outbreak tha…
https://www.who.int/health-topics/severe-acute-respiratory-s…
info
“Sars has obtained a legal opinion to seek to hold retailers and distributors of illicit products — including plastic bags — personally liable for uncollected taxes”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim regarding a legal opinion to hold retailers personally liable is explicitly stated in the article 'Illegal plastic bag trade dodges R1bn in taxes', but no other independent source confirms this specific legal move.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In addition, Sars has obtained a legal opinion to seek to hold retailers and distributors of illicit products — including plastic bags — personally liable for uncollected taxes.”
https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/business/2026-05-09-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — About SARS. Types of Tax. Legal Counsel.Medical Tax Credit Rates. The Budget tax guide 2026 will be published on 25 February 2026 when the Minister of Finance delivers his budget speech – keep an eye …
https://www.sars.gov.za/tax-rates/income-tax/rates-of-tax-fo…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Kieswetter said SARS loses about R60bn because of unpaid excise duties, and it loses about R86bn because of illicit trade flows. But the largest loss – according to the Davis Tax Committee – is from u…
https://www.moonstone.co.za/how-sars-arrives-at-r800bn-in-un…
info
“the plastic manufacturing sector has been identified as a high-risk sector receiving focused enforcement attention”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for this claim returned information about the SARS virus, not the revenue service's enforcement sectors.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1, the first identified strain of the SARS-related coronavirus. The first known …
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious illness caused by a coronavirus. It′s a disease that affects the lungs and airways, also called a respiratory illness. The coronavirus that cau…
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sars/symptoms…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 18, 2024 · Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-coronavirus. While SARS cases were detected as early as November 2002 as part of an outbreak tha…
https://www.who.int/health-topics/severe-acute-respiratory-s…
check_circle
“national illicit economy disruption programme announced by the president during the state of the nation address in February”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources confirm the announcement of the National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — We are establishing a National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme that brings together key state agencies and other stakeholders, including the private sector.
https://www.gov.za/news/speeches/2026StateOfTheNation
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — CGCSA notes that the programme's success will depend on a coordinated approach by various stakeholders, including the use of digital passports, data analytics, and stronger law enforcement. The illici…
https://www.cgcsa.co.za/CGCSA_WELCOMES_THE_NATIONAL_ILLICIT_…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a national crackdown on illicit trade, unveiling a new Illicit Economy Disruption Programme aimed at targeting the illegal tobacco, fuel, alcohol and counterfei…
https://dailynews.co.za/business/2026-02-12-ramaphosa-unveil…
help
“Each bag must have its NRCS registration number printed on it.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for the requirement of NRCS registration numbers on plastic bags.
help
“As of 2024, most SPAR-branded carrier bags in South Africa are made from 100% recycled materials, with a minimum of 70% post-consumer waste, and are fully recyclable”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for the specific recycled material composition of SPAR-branded carrier bags in 2024.
schedule
“This contributes to diverting about 4,000 tons of plastic waste from landfills annually”
PENDING
schedule
“the group is proud to be a founding member of the SA Plastics Pact”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.