500 000 DVD’s worth R27 million destroyed

4 June 2010

South African Revenue Service (SARS) officials observed the destruction
of close to 500 000 pirated films with an estimated value of
approximately R27 million at a metal and plastic recycling plant in
Brakpan on Wednesday.

The counterfeit DVDs were seized during operations conducted by Customs
Border Control Unit (CBCU) and SARS National Investigations teams in
collaboration with various units of the South African Police Service
(SAPS) and other stakeholders such as the Southern African Federation
Against Copy Right Theft (SAFACT).

The search and seizures took place throughout the year at flea markets,
burner labs and other DVD hotspots across the country. The collaborative
operations were aimed at disrupting the supply chain in the illicit
economy, while also identifying suspected syndicate kingpins with a view
to investigate and enforce tax compliance.

Popular titles seized during the operations, included locally produced
White Wedding and the internationally acclaimed hit district nine and
popular international films such as Bruno, New Noon, This Is It
(documenting the last days of Michael Jackson's life) and the Curious
Case of Benjamin Button.

SARS hands over all seized DVD's to SAFACT, the umbrella organisation
that protects the interests of stakeholders within the Southern African
film, home entertainment and interactive games industries.

SARS remains committed to disrupting and eradicating illicit
counterfeiting activities in the South Africa entertainment media in
order to protect the local economy, optimise revenue yield, facilitate
trade and enlist new tax contributors by promoting awareness of the
obligation to comply voluntarily with South African tax and customs laws.

Issued by: South African Revenue Service
4 June 2010
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za/)