The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has knocked out the team owned by controversial businesswoman and reality TV star, Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize and her son, Andile Mpisane. With the team owing the SARS about R37 million, the tax authority has been granted the right to sell the team and other movable properties in its possession to recoup its money.

DRAMA STATED LAST YEAR

In a search and seizure raid in November last year, law enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service, Hawks and SARS members swooped on Mkhize's home in La Lucia in Durban, Sandton and Pietermaritzburg and confiscated expensive cars said to be worth over R100 million and other movable assets. In a statement at the time, the tax authority said: "SARS is pleased to announce a significant development in our effort to combat tax evasion and criminal activity that undermines the country's economy.The KwaZulu-Natal Local Division of the Durban High Court has granted a preservation order and a search-and-seizure warrant in the case involving the Commissioner for SARS versus Shauwn Mkhize and Others."

In a last-ditch effort to save the team, MaMkhize took SARS to the High Court last week to stop the court-appointed curator from taking charge of the financial running of the team. Mkhize lost the High Court matter and today, it was reported that SARS will be selling Royal AM.

LEGAL OBLIGATIONS 

After MaMkhize lost the court case last week, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said: "SARS is pleased with the court's decision to strike the matter from the court's roll for lack of urgency. Taxpayers have a legal obligation to all at times fulfill this without fail and remain compliant with their tax affairs. It boggles the mind that taxpayers will turn to courts with ease yet be derelict in their responsibility to meet their obligations with similar enthusiasm," Kiewetter said, adding that the taxman is enjoined by the law to administer the law without fear or favour and to ensure that all taxpayers who are expected to register, file and pay their taxes do so with ease. With SARS ready to auction the team, the tax authority will likely also auction the expensive cars confiscated in November to recoup their owed millions. MaMkhize and the team were not available to comment.