On Tuesday, November 26, law enforcement officials raided the home of Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, following allegations that she owes R37 million in unpaid taxes to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The Durban High Court’s KwaZulu-Natal Local Division issued a preservation order and search-and-seizure warrant in the ongoing case, which is part of SARS’s efforts to target individuals engaging in willful tax evasion. The court’s decision is seen as a key part of SARS’s strategy to increase the cost and difficulty for taxpayers involved in criminal activities.
The raid sparked mixed reactions online, with some social media users expressing support for SARS’s actions, citing Mkhize’s public displays of wealth on social media, such as flaunting luxury cars and designer attire.
One user remarked, “Mkhize is corrupt and a fraudster and should be behind bars,” while another commented on her alleged involvement in RDP housing corruption and bribing investigating officers, saying, “You reap what you sow. Nobody is above the law.”
However, there were also voices defending Mkhize, claiming the raid was a form of harassment against a successful black woman. Some users pointed out that many white and Indian business tycoons have faced similar issues without facing the same level of scrutiny.
Mkhize has not yet made a public statement regarding the raid.
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