ANC fights to keep its affairs under wraps
The ANC is fighting to keep its tax affairs a secret after attempts by AfriForum to access its records dating back to 1994.
As previously reported, SARS last week informed Luthuli House that AfriForum was seeking the records through PAIA.
This follows revelations that the governing party owed millions in PAYE contributions that it deducted from its employees but had never passed on to SARS.
In a letter to SARS, the ANC argued the request was an attempt to embarrass the party and portray it as an irresponsible organisation.
The Sunday Times reports that ANC attorney Krish Naidoo said the request constitutes an ‘unreasonable disclosure of confidential information’.
According to Naidoo and ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, the party has a duty to protect its tax records.
SARS had garnished the ANC’s funding from the Electoral Commission in part-payment of its tax bill last year, with the ANC owing R80m in unpaid PAYE debt and about R140m in provident fund debt at the time.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
