The attempted murder of Coreth Naudé, a SARS advocate investigating businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize’s unpaid taxes, has sparked media attention and speculation. Mkhize, known as “MaMkhize,” has been accused of owing R37 million in taxes and was recently ordered to remit R12 million and have 13 of her luxury vehicles confiscated by SARS. This ongoing saga highlights the complex interplay between power, tax evasion, and the quest for justice.
Who is Coreth Naudé and what is the connection between her and Shauwn Mkhize?
Coreth Naudé is a prominent advocate for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) who was investigating the tax matters of Shauwn Mkhize, the CEO of Royal AM. The assassination attempt on Naudé has drawn significant media attention to Mkhize, who is notoriously referred to as “MaMkhize.” Mkhize has been accused of owing over R37 million in unpaid taxes.
A Dangerous Divide Between Justice and Threat
South Africa recently witnessed a chilling blend of justice and peril when Coreth Naudé, a prominent advocate for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), narrowly escaped a meticulously planned assassination attempt on the 18th of July. The frightening incident, which involved Naudé being shot three times following her arrival at an Umhlanga hotel in Durban, has drawn significant media attention to businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, notoriously referred to as “MaMkhize.”
At the core of this disturbing event, Naudé had been employed by SARS and was deeply involved in investigating the tax matters of MaMkhize, the CEO of Royal AM. The assassination attempt happened against the backdrop of allegations that MaMkhize owed over R37 million in unpaid taxes, a claim made just a month before the incident. The timing and circumstances surrounding the event have led the public to formulate theories about potential links.
A Call for Justice and State Authority
Following the alarming event, SARS publicly voiced its deep concern for Naudé’s well-being. Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner, depicted the event as a premeditated attempt to eliminate an official who was working diligently to unravel high-profile cases, including MaMkhize’s tax debacle.
Kieswetter emphasized that these actions were designed to intimidate court officers, thereby undermining not just the judicial system but the power of the State itself. He insisted that these acts must be confronted and dealt with decisively to ensure the country’s stability. Lawyers for Human Rights South Africa concurred with this sentiment, vigorously asserting that no one is above the law, and urged that the perpetrators be apprehended and held accountable.
Social Media Storm and the Tax Evasion Allegations
As the story unraveled, MaMkhize found herself in the spotlight, becoming the subject of social media speculation. Fueling this speculation was her own tax controversy, with The Citizen reporting that she had been served with a R37 million tax bill related to her business empire.
The situation took another turn when SARS lodged a court application to confiscate 13 of her luxury vehicles owned by Shandi Trust and the Royal AM football club, organizations where MaMkhize holds a significant stake. In addition, she was instructed to remit R12 million from her personal account to SARS.
Adding fuel to the fire of controversy, MaMkhize, when questioned about her tax evasion during a one-on-one interview with Carte Blanche in April, became defensive. She insisted that tax matters were personal and did not warrant public debate.
A History of Tax Fraud and a Cloud of Suspicion
This is not the first time MaMkhize has found herself ensnared in tax fraud allegations. In 2012, she was charged with 119 counts of tax fraud, accused of submitting false invoices totaling R5 million. Interestingly, she shifted the blame to her bookkeeper, Kishal Reddy, who pleaded guilty while she maintained her innocence.
Additionally, the Mail & Guardian brought to light corruption charges against her for allegedly attempting to influence a state witness in one of her tax fraud cases. However, all charges were ultimately dismissed, leaving MaMkhize unbound by the law but still under a cloud of suspicion.
The Intricate Interplay of Power, Tax Evasion, and Justice
The ongoing saga illuminates the complex relationship between power, tax evasion and the quest for justice. The incident involving Coreth Naudé not only highlights the risks faced by law enforcement officials but also raises questions about the extent to which people might go to safeguard their interests.
What is the background of the tax probe into Shauwn Mkhize?
Shauwn Mkhize, the CEO of Royal AM, has been accused of owing over R37 million in unpaid taxes. This led to a tax probe by Coreth Naudé, a prominent advocate for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), who was investigating Mkhize’s tax matters.
What happened during the attempted murder of Coreth Naudé?
Coreth Naudé was shot three times following her arrival at an Umhlanga hotel in Durban on July 18th in a meticulously planned assassination attempt. The event was deeply shocking and raised concerns about the risks faced by law enforcement officials.
What has been the response to the incident from SARS and other organizations?
SARS has publicly voiced its deep concern for Naudé’s well-being and criticized the assassination attempt as an attempt to intimidate court officers and undermine the power of the State itself. Lawyers for Human Rights South Africa concurred with this sentiment and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
What is the history of tax fraud allegations against Shauwn Mkhize?
In 2012, Mkhize was charged with 119 counts of tax fraud, accused of submitting false invoices totaling R5 million. She shifted the blame to her bookkeeper, Kishal Reddy, who pleaded guilty while she maintained her innocence. Additionally, corruption charges were brought against her for allegedly attempting to influence a state witness in one of her tax fraud cases, but all charges were ultimately dismissed.
What actions has SARS taken against Shauwn Mkhize?
SARS has lodged a court application to confiscate 13 of Mkhize’s luxury vehicles owned by Shandi Trust and the Royal AM football club, organizations where Mkhize holds a significant stake. In addition, she was instructed to remit R12 million from her personal account to SARS.
What does this saga illuminate about the relationship between power, tax evasion, and justice?
The ongoing saga highlights the complex interplay between power, tax evasion, and the quest for justice. It raises questions about the extent to which people might go to safeguard their interests and the risks faced by law enforcement officials.
