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Montana exposes SARS over 'insane' R55m tax debt claim
2 hrs ago |
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Former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) CEO Lucky Montana has denied owing any money to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) following the agency's recent disclosure of an alleged R55 million tax debt.
Montana addressed the media in Ekurhuleni on Monday, responding to SARS' public announcement on Saturday. The revenue service said the disclosure was necessary to protect its integrity after Montana publicly accused the agency of fraud.
SARS alleges that undeclared income was deposited into Montana's accounts between 2009 and 2019, coinciding with his tenure at PRASA. The announcement has sparked widespread media attention and public debate.
Montana, however, rejected the R55 million figure, arguing that over 80% of it consists of accumulated interest and penalties. He described the charges as "unreasonable," claiming that even street loan sharks impose lower rates.
"Even amoshisa in the streets don't charge those rates. Mashonisa who take bank cards from our parents don't charge the penalties that SARS imposes. It's so unreasonable, and I think this is insane. The Commissioner of SARS should be ashamed of himself for doing this to ordinary South Africans," Montana said.
He added that his capital tax liability, excluding penalties, is approximately R8 million, a figure he also disputes. Montana vowed to expose what he calls "SARS' rotten system" and insisted that he is being unfairly targeted.
"I am not on trial. SARS knows that it is their rotten system that is on trial. I'm at peace and know that I do not owe SARS a cent," Montana said. "Some may ask why I risk everything to take on SARS. I'm not afraid of the challenge and am prepared to lose everything to ensure they address the root of our exploitation."
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Montana and SARS, with both parties entrenched over the assessment and calculation of the alleged tax debt.
Montana addressed the media in Ekurhuleni on Monday, responding to SARS' public announcement on Saturday. The revenue service said the disclosure was necessary to protect its integrity after Montana publicly accused the agency of fraud.
SARS alleges that undeclared income was deposited into Montana's accounts between 2009 and 2019, coinciding with his tenure at PRASA. The announcement has sparked widespread media attention and public debate.
Montana, however, rejected the R55 million figure, arguing that over 80% of it consists of accumulated interest and penalties. He described the charges as "unreasonable," claiming that even street loan sharks impose lower rates.
"Even amoshisa in the streets don't charge those rates. Mashonisa who take bank cards from our parents don't charge the penalties that SARS imposes. It's so unreasonable, and I think this is insane. The Commissioner of SARS should be ashamed of himself for doing this to ordinary South Africans," Montana said.
He added that his capital tax liability, excluding penalties, is approximately R8 million, a figure he also disputes. Montana vowed to expose what he calls "SARS' rotten system" and insisted that he is being unfairly targeted.
"I am not on trial. SARS knows that it is their rotten system that is on trial. I'm at peace and know that I do not owe SARS a cent," Montana said. "Some may ask why I risk everything to take on SARS. I'm not afraid of the challenge and am prepared to lose everything to ensure they address the root of our exploitation."
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Montana and SARS, with both parties entrenched over the assessment and calculation of the alleged tax debt.
Source - online
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