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ICYMI: Mamkhize’s property empire on the line as SARS pushes for fire-sale showdown Durban businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize is locked in an escalating legal clash with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), as the tax authority moves to liquidate parts of her property portfolio to recover millions in alleged unpaid taxes. At the centre of the dispute is a reported tax liability of around R40 million, which SARS is attempting to secure by selling off assets currently under curatorship. The matter is being contested in the Durban High Court, where Mkhize’s legal team is challenging the urgency and legality of the proposed sales. Her lawyers argue that SARS acted improperly by bringing an urgent application long after the initial preservation order was granted in late 2024, insisting the case does not meet the threshold for urgency and should instead follow standard court timelines. SARS, however, maintains that time is critical. According to its legal representatives, several of the attached properties are deteriorating, burdened by unpaid municipal charges and declining in value. With Mkhize’s accounts reportedly frozen, neither she nor the state can maintain the assets, prompting the revenue service to push for a sale to prevent further losses. The tax authority has proposed that any proceeds from the sales be held in trust until the underlying tax dispute is resolved—meaning Mkhize could recover the funds if she ultimately wins the case. This legal standoff forms part of a broader crackdown by SARS, which has intensified efforts in recent years to pursue high-profile tax defaulters. The agency has repeatedly emphasised that asset preservation and seizure orders are key tools used to prevent individuals from dissipating wealth before debts to the state are settled. Mkhize’s financial troubles did not emerge overnight. Investigations and enforcement actions date back months, including raids on her properties and the seizure of luxury assets. In 2025, auctions of vehicles and high-end goods linked to her reportedly raised millions as SARS sought to claw back outstanding tax revenue. Her business interests have also been affected. The tax dispute has been tied to turmoil surrounding her former football club, which was placed under curatorship and later put up for sale amid the same alleged debt issues. Legal experts note that cases like this highlight the sweeping powers SARS holds under South African law. Through preservation orders, the agency can freeze and ultimately dispose of assets before a final judgment—provided it convinces the court that delays could jeopardise tax recovery. For now, the court has reserved judgment, leaving the fate of Mkhize’s properties—and a high-stakes battle between a prominent business figure and the taxman—hanging in the balance. buzzlifenews.com
































