The bitter war between vehicle owners and SARS officials over the impounding of their vehicles without explanation reached a crisis point at a border gate of the Kingdom of eSwatini.
Recently, several motorists from South Africa sent complaints to this publication about SARS officials at the border post, whom they alleged were abusing their rights by detaining their vehicles without properly informing them what was happening.
Some even enquired whether South Africans were no longer allowed to buy cars of their own choice from any country.
Read: Things to remember when crossing the border this festive season
Responding to these accusations, Sicelo Mkosi, SARS media officer, said South Africans must declare goods, including vehicles crossing the borders.
“All goods crossing to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, the Kingdom of eSwatini and Mozambique, or international borders, should be declared with customs at the border gate. This includes vehicles with RSA and foreign registeration. Free movement of vehicles registered in these countries are permitted, provided that they return to their country of origin within 30 days,” said Mkosi.
He added that the SARS customs were aware of the detention of foreign-registered vehicles at Jeppes Reef.
“The vehicles were detained for further investigation after citizens of the Republic of South Africa were found crossing the border without relevant documentation that prove ownership of the foreign-registered vehicle and the importation thereof. Ownership is currently being investigated in those cases,” he said.
Mkosi said any citizen is permitted to drive a foreign-registered vehicle across the border, provided it is for a single entry and not for a period exceeding 30 days.
