US firm, BURS seal 10-yr ‘track and trace’ deal

Crackdown: The BURS is going ahead with the track and trace system PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Crackdown: The BURS is going ahead with the track and trace system PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Texas-based authentication firm, Authentix, says it has scooped a 10-year deal to provide the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) with technology to implement the contentious 'track and trace' system designed to crack down on alcohol and tobacco tax losses.

In a statement earlier today, Authentix said the new contract covers the marking and digital tracking of an estimated 500 million product units per year.

The track and trace system involves placing a biometric imprint on all alcohol and tobacco products as they are manufactured and imported into the country, allowing the BURS to check that the correct tax revenue is being paid and that the products are genuine and not illicit.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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