A series of multimillion-rand tax disputes involving prominent South African entertainers has placed renewed attention on the South African Revenue Service’s debt-collection powers.
The matters are not all at the same legal stage. Some involve reported final demands, one is being contested in the Tax Court, and others have reportedly progressed to default judgments. A demand also does not, by itself, prove tax evasion or criminal wrongdoing.
SARS generally cannot publicly discuss an individual taxpayer’s affairs because of confidentiality laws. Consequently, much of the available information comes from court papers and demand notices obtained by media organisations.
Pearl Thusi disputes reported R15-million demand
Actress and television personality Pearl Thusi is reportedly facing a SARS final demand for close to R15 million.
Thusi has confirmed that she is engaging directly with the revenue service and acknowledged that an amount remains outstanding. However, she strongly disputes the reported value, describing it as “grossly incorrect” and misleading.
Her response means the amount should be treated as contested—not as an agreed or finally determined liability. There is presently no verified public report that her property has been attached or placed on auction. The demand reportedly identifies possible enforcement remedies but does not name specific assets that SARS intends to pursue. TimesLIVE
Banele Mbere receives final demand
Banele Mbere, one half of the internationally recognised Major League DJz, was reportedly served with a final demand for just over R1.19 million on 18 August 2026.
The notice gave him 10 business days to pay, approach SARS about an instalment arrangement or use another remedy available under tax legislation.
If no acceptable action is taken, SARS may pursue additional collection measures. These could include appointing a third party holding money for the taxpayer, obtaining a civil judgment or applying for a warrant allowing the sheriff to attach and sell assets.
Those consequences are possible next steps, however, and should not be reported as though an attachment or auction has already happened. The demand reportedly did not explain how the liability arose, and SARS has not publicly accused Mbere of criminal conduct.
Default judgment reportedly granted against Somizi
Somizi Mhlongo’s matter has reportedly progressed further than a final demand.
SARS is reported to have obtained a default judgment against the entertainer in the Johannesburg High Court. Court information cited in published reports places the total at approximately R19.7 million, including an underlying personal income-tax amount of about R11.8 million together with accumulated interest and penalties.
A default judgment gives SARS a stronger legal basis from which to pursue collection. It does not, however, amount to a criminal conviction for tax evasion. It ordinarily means that judgment was granted without the matter being defended in the required manner.
No independently confirmed public update establishes whether the full judgment has since been paid, placed under an arrangement or challenged.
DJ Maphorisa challenges R3.3-million assessments
DJ Maphorisa, whose legal name is Themba Sekowe, is actively disputing approximately R3.3 million in estimated tax assessments.
Unlike the final-demand cases, his matter is an appeal before the South African Tax Court. The dispute reportedly dates back to a SARS audit initiated after outstanding tax returns were identified.
One of the central disagreements concerns deposits and transfers involving his FNB accounts. Maphorisa argues that SARS incorrectly treated certain movements between accounts as additional taxable income, despite supporting financial records allegedly having been supplied.
SARS classified the conduct as intentional tax evasion and imposed an understatement penalty of 200%. That classification and the calculations supporting the assessments form part of what Maphorisa is contesting. Until the appeal is decided, the disputed figures and penalty should not be presented as findings confirmed by the Tax Court.
Judgment against Sonia Mbele’s production company
The Sonia Mbele matter concerns her company, Sonia Mbele Films, rather than a fresh personal assessment against the actress.
SARS reportedly obtained a default judgment against the production company in the Johannesburg High Court for more than R600,000. The liability was reportedly linked to unpaid Pay-As-You-Earn tax.
Court documents reportedly show that the principal debt was below R400,000 before interest and penalties increased the balance. A final demand was issued to the company in February 2026, followed by the application for default judgment.
The judgment permits further recovery action, potentially including attachment and sale of company assets. It is important to keep the company’s liability separate from Mbele’s personal tax affairs, which previously involved a different matter. Africa Daily
Bonang and Mihlali matters remain unclear
Bonang Matheba was reportedly issued with a final debt-collection notice in February 2026 for more than R7 million in alleged unpaid tax. Her representatives declined to discuss the amount, citing the confidentiality of her tax affairs.
The notice reportedly warned of possible civil enforcement if the matter was not addressed. There is no reliable public confirmation that SARS subsequently attached or auctioned any of Matheba’s assets. Her current settlement or dispute status therefore remains unknown. Bona
Beauty entrepreneur Mihlali Ndamase was separately reported to have received a final demand involving a balance of approximately R580,000 after interest and penalties. Reports claimed that she intended to dispute the calculation but did not lodge an objection within the prescribed period.
A missed objection deadline can seriously limit a taxpayer’s immediate options, but it does not necessarily make every remedy permanently unavailable. SARS permits applications for condonation of certain late objections, subject to legal requirements and the reasons for the delay. No authoritative public update confirms the matter’s present collection status.
