Taxman goes after Gold Leaf Tobacco

The future of Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation might be up in smoke after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) secured a preservation order against the company and its directors, Simon Rudland and Ebrahim Adamjee.

The taxman argued that Gold Leaf was part of the illicit tobacco industry, which is cheating the taxman of his dues. SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter said: “The conduct of non-compliant taxpayers is depriving the government of legitimate resources to the prejudice of both the state and the South African public. In aggressively addressing this scourge, SARS will continue to pursue its mandate without fear, favour, or prejudice.”

Gold Leaf Tobacco holds the distribution rights for Voyager, RG, Chicago, Sahawi, Sharp and Savannah.