Jacob Zuma’s tax records must be handed over to media houses, court rules

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled that two media houses can have access to former president Jacob Zuma’s tax records, following an application to this end brought in November 2019.

Judge Norman Davis ruled on Tuesday afternoon that SARS must provide Zuma’s tax records to Amabhungane and Financial Mail within 10 days.

The two publications brought an application to access the records, after the South African Revenue Service had refused their requests for access.

#ZumaTaxRecords Davis J states there is no factual evidence that taxpayers in SA require secrecy to make full disclosure of their affairs. Reliance placed on Radovan Krejcir case b4 Con Court (where we acted for @mailandguardian) where Court was against absolute prohibitions 3/

— Dario Milo (@Dariomilo) November 16, 2021

Davis rules that SARS must supply them with Zuma’s tax records for the periods between 2010 and 2018 and also ruled that sections of the Tax Administration Act and the Promotion of Access to Information Act, were unconstitutional.

SARS had relied on these provisions within the acts to refuse the requests, ongrounds of taxpayer confidentiality.

It is now up to the Constitutional Court to confirm Davis’ ruling on these matters.

-The Citizen

In other news – No vaccine, no job – Muvhango actors given an ultimatum

Muvhango cast and crew have been given an ultimatum by the soapie creator Duma Ndlovu to vaccinate or lose their contracts. Ndlovu threw down the gauntlet to actors and technical staff during a meeting to discuss austerity measures to curb company costs in the new financial season and to minimize the spread of Covid-19.

The actors, who have been at home as the producers and the SABC were negotiating new contracts, will resume their shooting schedule next month. Learn More