PRETORIA, February 2 2001 - The Government, through the South African Revenue Service, today announced that it was donating 136 000 kg of goods worth more than R1 million to the victims of the recent earthquake in India.
The donated goods were seized when they were being smuggled into the country.
SARS Commissioner Mr Pravin Gordhan said South Africans - along with other nations - were saddened by the grief caused to the people of India by the earthquake.
"South Africa and India have sound bilateral relations and SARS is a crucial player in the facilitation of trade between these two countries. By this donation, we are expressing our oneness with the people of India in their hour of grief," Gordhan said.
The goods would be packaged with the help of the South African clothing and Textile Workers' Union, which is fully supportive of this SARS gesture.
The goods would be transported from Durban to India aboard SA Drankensberg, courtesy of the South African Navy.
A private-sector company, Mersk, has donated containers in which the goods will be transported. Other Durban-based businesses have also agreed to help in whatever way they can with the transportation of the goods.
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA