MZANSI media considers her a very private celebrity.
And she has, for a long time, kept her affairs away from the spotlight.
But now, the taxman has dragged Thandiswa Mazwai out from the shadows.
According to a South African Revenue Service (SARS) document, the renowned Afro-pop sensation has been slapped with a R575 779.67 bill for alleged tax evasion.
The letter sent last year to the 41-year-old singer cautioned her to settle the debt or risk legal action with the intention to execute her assets to cover the account.
A debt management certified statement from Sars issued this month tables her total tax debt as R626 127.87 and total capital debt as R494 406.44 subject to interest rates.
In the document, SARS stipulates that Thandiswa was free to apply for remedial action, including deferral payment or she could submit a formal dispute.
The letter read, in part: “According to the records of SARS, you have failed to settle in full your outstanding tax debt in the amount of R575 779.67.
“You are requested to make full payment within 10 business days from the date of this letter of demand. If you are unable to, you may within 10 business days . . . apply for a deferral payment or suspend the debt where you intend to submit a formal dispute.”
SARS further indicates that “failure to settle the debt may result in a civil judgment against you, in which a warrant of execution may be issued for the sheriff of the court to attach and sell your assets”.
Thandiswa could not be reached for comment.
Her manager Maria McCloy said: “We are engaging with SARS on some tax issues raised due to misfiling by a previous accountant.
“It’s disappointing that an employee at the receiver has leaked erroneous information on the matter.”
SARS spokesperson Sandile Memela said: “By law SARS can’t discuss matters relating to a person’s tax affairs with third parties.”
