It was a day of drama on Tuesday afternoon when SA Revenue Service (SARS) officials descended on the home of well-known businesswoman and socialite Shauwn Mkhize.
Mkhize, commonly referred to as MaMkhize in social circles, is widely known for her reality TV show and businesses empire.
Sunday World understands that MaMkhize, who is also the owner of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Royal AM, found herself in the soup after she allegedly dodged tax in excess of millions of rands.
The stand-off led to SARS obtaining a civil judgment and writ of execution against the businesswoman, allowing the sheriff of court to attach movable assets belonging to the club owner, which are believed to be worth several millions of rands.
“Whereas the execution creditor/plaintiff obtained judgment on 21 August 2023 against the execution debtor/defendant for payment of the sum of R12 749 232.62,” reads the court order issued by the KwaZulu-Natal high court in Durban and seen by Sunday World.
The order further says the sum claimed will be at an applicable rate per annum commencing from September 1.
“Now therefore, you are directed to attach and remove the movable property of Mabongi Flora Junior Mkhize.”
2020 liquidation order
It is not for the first time that MaMkhize locks horns with the nation’s tax-collecting authority for allegedly evading tax.
In 2020, SARS successfully obtained a liquidation order against Zikhuluse Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport, a company owned by MaMkhize, for owing about R204-million in unpaid taxes.
The matter had commenced in 2016 leading to the vehicle and forfeiture unit seizing luxury items including expensive vehicles at MaMkhize’s Lalucia home.
MaMkhize was not immediately available for comment at the time of publishing.
Sunday World reported last week that following the relegation of Maritzburg United from the PSL last season, the ANC-led Msunduzi municipality council stripped the club of funding and pushed through a lucrative R27-million sponsorship deal as a financial aid to Royal AM.
The deal has since been called out by the DA.
At the heart of the controversial arrangement was that Royal AM should be compensated for advertising the city, which is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, and also for its use of the Harry Gwala Stadium in their PSL games.
In the court papers seen by Sunday World and filed in the high court in Pietermaritzburg, the DA contends that the deal did not go through a competitive bid.
