SARS has denied allegations made by Montana accusing the entity of abusing power

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has strongly denied allegations made by former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana accusing the tax agency of abusing its powers, engaging in maladministration, and carrying out a politically motivated witch hunt.

In a press briefing held at its Pretoria offices, Sars said Montana’s claims published by IOL earlier this week are false, unfounded, and were already dismissed by the Gauteng high court earlier this year as scandalous, vexatious, and without factual basis.

The revenue service outlined a timeline showing that Montana failed to submit tax returns from 2009 to 2019 ignored multiple audit requests and now owes over 55-million-rand in taxes, penalties, and interest.

Sars said it followed due legal process including issuing tax assessments, obtaining civil judgments, and later launching sequestration proceedings after non-payment.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Saturday SARS Spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko said the entity will further address Montana's false claims.

"To the extent necessary for now, Sars will send out a salient factual sequence of events with specific reference to the false claims by Mr. Montana.  The false claim of abuse of power by the administration in a politically motivated mishap". Sibeko added.