Sars and police raid Shauwn Mkhize’s home

South African Revenue Services (Sars) officials and police have reportedly raided the La Lucia, Durban, home of controversial businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize.

The raid took place on Tuesday afternoon, with locksmiths also at the scene.

In a statement, Sars said the raid was part of its “effort to combat tax evasion and criminal activity that undermines the country’s economy”.

Mkhize reportedly owes Sars around R37 million in unpaid taxes.

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The tax service said the raid was done to preserve and secure assets.

Sars said in August that it was making progress in the matter against Mkhize.

“This decision is a crucial step in Sars’s strategic objective to make it increasingly hard and costly for taxpayers who wilfully and intentionally engage in criminal activity. Over the past few years, Sars has been diligently investigating and cracking down on the construction industry so that it complies with tax laws.”

Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said Mkhize is not above the law.

“Sars will not waiver in executing its mandate without fear, favour, or prejudice, regardless of any persons’ standing in society,” he said.

“Today’s search-and-seizure operation must communicate an unambiguous message to all that law-enforcement agencies will act to stop lawlessness. The most vulnerable in our society, the aged, and children depend on the state through taxes to assuage and mitigate poverty, unemployment, and hunger. Any wilful defiance of the law will be resisted.”

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