ANC threatens legal action to block AfriForum from accessing tax records – report

The ANC is reportedly threatening legal action to block AfriForum from accessing its tax records.

This after the lobby group submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the South African Revenue Service (Sars), requesting the ANC’s tax records and returns from 1994 till now.

In its application, submitted last Monday, AfriForum also asked Sars whether the ANC had received any preferential treatment over its alleged unpaid taxes.

ALSO READ: AfriForum asks ANC to show SA all their tax records

The Sunday Times reports the ANC wrote to Sars requesting “an unequivocal written undertaking” within 14 days, that the tax collection agency will not disclose its tax records to AfriForum or any other third party.

The paper reports that a letter from ANC attorney, Krish Naidoo, states that the request by AfriForum was an attempt to embarrass the party and apparently portray it as an irresponsible organisation.

This follows media reports that the ANC owes millions of rand in pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) contributions it deducted from its workers, but never paid to Sars.

Naidoo reportedly argued that AfriForum’s request constituted “an unreasonable disclosure of confidential information”.

“We have also been instructed to request an undertaking from your office that in the event that AfriForum institutes legal proceedings against Sars to demand such records, you will immediately inform ANC of such proceedings so that it can join the litigation as an interested party to prevent AfriForum from abusing the constitutionally entrenched right of all South Africans to privacy and from violating SA’s internationally recognised tax administration system,” Naidoo’s was quoted as saying.

ANC’s ‘R100 million’ tax bill

 The Daily Maverick reported last week that the ANC was given an ultimatum by Sars to either settle its unpaid R100 million tax bill or have its assets attached.

But the report was rubbished by ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe, describing it as inaccurate, malicious and dubious.

He said the ANC continued to pay all taxes and debts owed to Sars.

“The ANC is neither aware nor informed of such an ultimatum by Sars and therefore dismisses such inaccurate, malicious, dubious and divisive media reports with the contempt they deserve.

“Matters of taxation of the ANC are private and handled by the treasurer general’s office who engages with Sars from time to time on such affairs,” Mabe said in a statement.

Speaking to Sunday Times, ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile could not be drawn into disclosing how much the party owed Sars.

Mashatile said the party’s tax bill was nowhere near the reported R100 million.

“We have been paying Sars and we have paid Sars in February and we have now paid them as of March. As we speak now we don’t have a problem with Sars, we have paid them.”

Compiled by Thapelo Lekabe

NOW READ: ANC dismisses tax evasion allegations as ‘abhorrent and irresponsible’