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Cape Town - The state's coffers received a cash injection of R7.9m from a passenger embarking on a flight from Durban to Dubai.
The money was seized at King Shaka International Airport in April 2016, when a 37-year-old man was arrested while on his way to China via Dubai.
Husain Farouk Motala was pulled off an Emirates flight due to problems with his passport. An amount of R7 909 200 was found wrapped in packs of envelopes stashed in three suitcases.
South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials directed the luggage for a search because it was suspiciously heavy. However, there are also claims that SARS busted Motala after getting a tip-off.
Motala appeared in the Verulam Magistrate Court on charges of failing to disclose the large amount of money he was carrying. He was released on R60 000 bail and barred from leaving the country.
The case has since been transferred to the Durban Commercial Crimes Court as an investigation into the matter continues.
'A gift to government'
"The money .... shall be disposed of by depositing it into the National Revenue Fund," stated a notice of forfeiture published in the Government Gazette.
All monies paid into the National Revenue Fund may be used by government to pay for salaries, infrastructure, goods and services.
"In a similar way to our country's taxes, the forfeited monies will be put into a common, fungible pot called the National Revenue Fund and will be spent in terms of plans and allocations outlined in government's budget and related appropriations," explained Wits University economist Dr Kenneth Creamer.
SARS clampdown
The largest figure seized by SARS since June 2016 was an amount of $1 082 700 (about R15 024 411), said spokesperson Sandile Memela.
This happened at OR Tambo International Airport when customs officials intercepted a female passenger travelling to Dubai from South Africa on October 7 2016.
Memela explained that the passenger was requested to complete a Traveller Card before being asked to accompany customs officials to the search room for an inspection of her bag.
"She could neither provide proof that the money was exchanged via an authorised bank nor explain the origin of the money.
"On the way, she tried to bribe the inspectors with R500 000 each (R1m), but this was declined."
She faced charges of failing to declare the currency, smuggling and bribery.
Memela said the total amount of money seized since June 2016 is a rand equivalent of R54 869 798.
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