The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART  presses SARS to crack down on widespread tax evasion in the spaza shop sector.

The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART presses SARS to crack down on widespread tax evasion in the spaza shop sector.

July 20, 2026 · 5 min

About this episode

SMART is urging SARS to address tax evasion in the spaza shop sector amid concerns over fiscal impacts.

The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART is pressing SARS to crack down on widespread tax evasion in the spaza shop sector following damning findings by the Public Protector. The group says many outlets allegedly run by undocumented foreign nationals operate unlicensed, dodging taxes while using public services and infrastructure. SMART says this lost revenue is hurting South Africa's strained fiscus at a time of mounting debt and service delivery pressures. The organisation urges closer collaboration between SARS, Home Affairs, municipalities and other agencies to register compliant businesses and enforce the law fairly, without targeting nationality. We spoke to SMART Manager for Advocacy And Communication, Lehlogonolo Muthevhuli.

People in this episode

Guest: Lehlogonolo Muthevhuli

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Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SARS, Public Protector

Places: South Africa

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