Coreth Naudé, a senior advocate acting for SARS in a tax inquiry involving controversial businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize, survived an attempt on her life yesterday.

News24 has confirmed that Naudé was arriving at her hotel in Durban, near Gateway shopping centre, shortly after 4pm, when she was shot three times.

She was treated inside the basement parking garage of the hotel before being taken by ambulance to Netcare Umhlanga Hospital in critical condition. 

Naudé had spent most of the day at a tax inquiry, looking into the affairs of Mkhize and her company, Royal AM Football Club, and other entities.

In May, SARS obtained a provisional preservation order to secure assets linked to the companies and a trust, in order to recoup R37m in taxes owed.

The preservation order was for a fleet of luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini and several luxury German sedans, but a standoff ensued between Mkhize's security team and armed guards who arrived with the attorneys.

News24 notes that the attempt to secure the assets at locations in Durban and Sandton was abandoned in order to diffuse tensions.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter condemned the attack, adding that it was an assault on the authority of the state and rule of law.

‘SARS condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Advocate Coreth Naude. This shocking act is intended to intimidate officers of court to abandon the vital work they’re performing in furtherance of our country’s legal system.’

According to the News24 report, he added that it undermines the authority of the state.

Full News24 report

SARS statement