Revisiting Somizi Mhlongo’s SARS Ordeal

In 2009, Somizi Mhlongo had his first ordeal with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), as he owed R3.4 million in tax debt. Later in May 2022, his household furniture was auctioned by SARS for failure to pay a tax debt of at least R3.5 million. He then decided to settle the case through legal means.

What was Somizi’s SARS Ordeal About?

In his book entitled “Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit,” Somizi Mhlongo detailed how he cried his eyes out at the office of the South African Revenue Service after he was nailed for owning R3.4 million in tax debt. Despite sobbing in front of them, he was told that his Range Rover car would be taken away from him in an attempt to clear the debt.

The car actually was not his, as he hired it for R14,000 per month to look good in the eyes of the public. After explaining to SARS that the car was hired, he was then forced to sell off his house. Even though he tried to find ways to get the debt settled without letting go of his house, his efforts were abortive. Somizi was miserable and depressed at the time as no job was coming his way due to his conviction of sexual assault.

He eventually got back on his feet again and was able to clear the debt. However, in July 2017, reports emerged that Somizi Mhlongo was owning SARS R2.5 million. He supposedly failed to pay the tax debt of R2.2 million, and between 2016 to 2017, the debt incurred interest which increased it to R2.5 million.

The South African Revenue Service had a series of meetings with the acclaimed choreographer before they obtained a judgment against him at the South Gauteng High Court in 2017. It was disclosed at the time that if SARS doesn’t find a correlation between the documents Somgaga submitted and his income, then his assets will be auctioned off to recoup what he’s owing the revenue service.

SARS Obtained a Warrant of Execution for Somizi’s Property in 2015

On November 5th, 2015, SARS obtained a warrant of execution against Somizi Mhlongo’s movable property. In the high court’s judgment obtained, it was stated that the TV star’s property would be sold in execution at 24 Rhodes Avenue Kensington B, Randburg 2125, to the highest bidder on May 18th, 2022, at 11 AM.

In addition to auctioning off his property, the revenue service also asked the owner of Bar Leader TV, Manqele, to transfer the R1.5 million broadcasting right fee he was owning Somizi and his ex-husband, Mohale. In 2020, the couple sold their wedding broadcasting rights to Bar Leader TV to air the event on DStv‘s Mzansi Magic channel for a whopping fee of R1.5 million.

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Manqele stalled on making the payment to Somizi and Mohale for years. Then, on May 12th, 2022, he was ordered by SARS to pay the money into its account, and he consented.

List of Somizi Mhlongo’s Property Auctioned By SARS in May 2022

  • A Hisense TV set with a remote
  • A Samsung washing machine
  • A sleeper couch
  • A Samsung fridge
  • A white sculpture (Gumar Head)
  • A Smeg dishwasher
  • One Carrol Boyes knife set with a stand
  • A wooden TV stand with drawers
  • A sleeper couch
  • Dining chairs and a table and knife set with a stand
  • Five various Le Creuset pots
  • Le Creuset bowl
  • Two brass-painted coffee tables
  • Three plastic bar chairs
  • Two red human statues
  • A Carroll Boyes bowl
  • A silver kitchen bowl
  • A DeLonghi oil heater
  • Eight cushions
  • A wooden TV stand with drawers
  • Three glass vases
  • A Goldair gas heater

How He Sought Help From His Close Friend

In an episode of his reality show, Living The Dream, Somizi Mhlongo was seen calling his close friend, Shauwn Mkhize, asking for help on how to go about his issues with SARS. He told the wealthy businesswoman to recommend him a tax lawyer as he chose to take legal action against the agency. Shauwn responded that she would send him her lawyer’s contact details immediately.

A few years ago, Somizi’s bestie, Shauwn Mkhize, had a case with SARS as her company, Zikhulise Cleaning Maintenance and Transport Services, owed a tax debt of about R122 million. The case was settled after the Gauteng high court ordered the liquidation of her company.

Is Somizi Mhlongo Planning to File for Bankruptcy?

In May 2022, controversial entertainment blogger Musa Khawula reported that Somizi Mhlongo plans on filing for bankruptcy to evade the SARS case. According to Musa, he claimed that Somizi asked his daughter, Bahumi, to change her surname from her mother’s to his own surname.

And with his daughter recently changing her name to Bahumi Mhlongo, it’s being alleged that the popular media personality wants to transfer his assets to her and then file for bankruptcy. At present, Somizi’s bankruptcy claim is just a rumor, and it’s yet to be validated by a confirmed source.

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