General News

During the 2023 budget speech the Minister of Finance announced that in light of the electricity crisis a similar diesel refund to the current system in place (for farming, forestry, fishing and mining), would be introduced for manufacturers of foodstuffs. Regardless of the date of implementation of the legislation this refund would take effect from […]

Please see the commercial squid appeals GPR at the below link to see the list of successful applicants and appellants in the Squid Commercial Fishing sector and the Minister’s reasons therefore. Queries may be addressed to the Dawson’s team at petere@dawsons.co.za or info@dawsons.co.za. https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/12jun23gpr_squidsector.pdf

In a media release dated the 12 June 2023 Minister Creecy has confirmed that  “the appeal decisions in the squid sector were finalised on 12 June 2023. The general published reasons (GPR) for the appeal decisions in the squid sector: 2021/2022 will be published on the department’s website shortly and appellants will also be provided

Despite SARS undertaking a review of the diesel refund administration and legislation in early 2020 and requesting/receiving comprehensive comments thereon from industry, the current system remains. Not only that but judging from recent matters, SARS auditors up and down the coast are still auditing fishing vessel owners/operators on a strict interpretation of the rules. This

Yet further concerns have been raised about ITAC’s controversial ban on the import of second hand vessels. Recently marine surveyor Paul Coxon highlighted the gravity of the situation in a presentation to marine underwriters at the annual Marine Forum. This follows ITAC refusing to issue import permits to South African purchasers of secondhand fishing vessels