Television and radio personality Somizi Mhlongo has entered another battlefield with the taxman, who has this time slapped him with a shocking R19.7 million tax bill.
The hair-raising tidbit comes three years after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) attached and auctioned off the Metro FM presenter’s furniture in 2022 after he failed to settle a R3.5 million tax debt.
Africa Daily can exclusively reveal that SARS has obtained a default judgment against Mhlongo, who is one of South Africa’s most sought-after MCs, at the Joburg High Court last week.
According to the judgment, which we have seen, the Sarafina movie star’s latest tax conundrum relates to personal income tax, with the initial debt of more than R11.8 million ballooning after SARS added more than R7.7 million in interest.
The astronomical bill was further increased by R57,500 in penalties and an additional R57,500 in interest, taking the total amount owed to R19,712,913.01.
Before approaching the high court, SARS issued Mhlongo, who is also known for the catchphrase and signature exclamation “Woo Shem!”, with a final letter of demand on 22 April 2026, giving him 10 business days to settle the debt in full or apply for relief measures available under tax legislation.
These included an application to pay the debt in instalments, a request to suspend payment pending the outcome of a formal dispute, or an application for a compromise of the debt.
At the time, the outstanding amount still stood at more than R19.7 million.
SARS had also informed Mhlongo that he had failed to settle tax liabilities relating to one or more tax years or tax periods.
The notice stated that the outstanding balance exceeded R19.7 million and gave him 10 business days to either settle the debt in full or apply for relief.
Among the options available was an arrangement to pay the debt in instalments, an application to suspend payment pending the outcome of a formal dispute, or a compromise of a portion of the debt where such an arrangement would provide a better return to the fiscus than liquidation, sequestration or other collection measures.
SARS warned that failure to settle the debt or make use of the available remedies would trigger enforcement action.
The revenue collector further indicated that it could appoint third parties holding money on behalf of Mhlongo to pay SARS directly towards the outstanding debt.
It also warned that a civil judgment could be entered against him, paving the way for a warrant of execution authorising the sheriff to attach and sell his assets.
The notice further advised Mhlongo that he could apply within five business days for a reduction of the amount recoverable by SARS based on basic living expenses and other relevant factors.
It appears Mhlongo failed to respond to the letter of demand or make arrangements to settle the debt, prompting SARS to approach the high court for a default judgment.
The judgment now places Mhlongo at risk of aggressive debt recovery measures again unless the outstanding tax bill is settled.
This is not the first time the popular presenter has found himself in the crosshairs of the taxman.
In 2022, SARS auctioned off his luxury furniture in Johannesburg after he failed to settle a tax debt of more than R3.5 million.
In a notice of sale in execution, Sandton North sheriff Kgomotso Mphahlele said Mhlongo’s furniture had been placed under the hammer to recover the money he owed for unpaid tax dating back to 2014.
The goods were sold following a judgment obtained by SARS in the Johannesburg High Court on 5 November 2015.
Among the items listed for auction were a Samsung washing machine, a white Guman Head sculpture, a Le Creuset bowl, three plastic bar chairs, two red human statues, a Hisense television with a remote, a Smeg dishwasher and two brass-painted coffee tables.
The list also included a Carrol Boyes knife set and bowl, five Le Creuset pots, a Gold Air gas heater, a DeLonghi oil heater, a Samsung fridge, a silver kitchen bowl, three glass vases, eight cushions, a sleeper couch, a wooden television stand with drawers, dining chairs and a table.
Mhlongo could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.