They will put their hands deep in the pockets of the drug dealers and fraudsters as the money they will pay for tobacco and alcohol has been increased.
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Enoch Godongwana, did not feel sorry for the witches and swindlers as he increased the tax on alcohol and cigarettes.
He disclosed that although he did not increase the tax in other sectors, he would not increase the tax on tobacco and alcohol.
“A pack of 20 cigarettes will increase from R22.81 to R23.58. Inqawe will increase by 28 cents, and cigarettes will increase by 87 cents,” said Godongwana, presenting the budget yesterday.
Isigazu has not increased by R4.56.
When it comes to cans, he said a 340 milliliter can will increase by 8 cents.
“A 750 milliliter bottle of wine will increase by 15 cents. The same bottle of liquor will increase by R3.20.”
It has become the norm that every year when the budget is presented, there is nothing left for the increase of tobacco and alcohol.
Godongwana just increased these things, there was a call that he should not increase them too much. Alcoholics have complained that if the tax on alcohol is increased too much, it will endanger jobs and make alcohol more expensive. Those in the industry complained that the tax increase would increase fake alcohol, which would spread and feed the legal brewers.
Godongwana said that discussions with this sector will continue and this tax is expected to start being introduced from April this year.
Previously, it used to start being included once it was announced in the budget every year.