Sars homes in on 'King of Bling'
27 November 2009, 09:40
By Mogomotsi Magome
The SA Revenue Service (Sars) paid a surprise visit yesterday to the premises of suspected crime kingpin William "Mashobane" Mbatha, also known as the "King of Bling".
Sars officials, accompanied by police, raided Mbatha's Ramsquare Cafe in Atteridgeville and the socialite's home in Irene.
Mbatha is in custody at the Boksburg correctional facility and will today make another bail application in his bid to get freedom. He is also on two separate bail orders of R50 000 and R15 000 respectively.
He was arrested while reporting to a police station as part of his R15 000 bail conditions after an alleged victim claimed to have identified him from a newspaper photograph.
Although Sars could not confirm or deny the incident, it is believed they confiscated second-hand clothing items and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Sars spokesman Adrian Lackay said they could not discuss the affairs of the institution and a taxpayer because of a confidentiality clause.
"According to the Income Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act, any matters between a taxpayer and Sars shall be treated as confidential.
"It is for this reason that we cannot comment on the matter that you (the Pretoria News) are enquiring about," said Lackay.
He added that information could only be made public once charges against a taxpayer were in a court of law.
Sars's visit to Mbatha's premises is believed to be part of the revenue collector's investigation into his tax affairs, and is separate from the criminal charges he faces.
Mbatha is no stranger to run-ins with Sars. Tax evasion charges are included in those he is set to face next year.
In his submission to the Germiston Regional Court, where he will be making his bail application today, Mbatha stated that he had paid more than R500 000 to Sars after it had charged him with tax evasion.
He is currently facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances relating to an alleged robbery in Brackendowns earlier this year.
Mbatha is well known for his lavish lifestyle that includes expensive clothes and luxury vehicles.
The SA Revenue Service (Sars) paid a surprise visit yesterday to the premises of suspected crime kingpin William "Mashobane" Mbatha, also known as the "King of Bling".
Sars officials, accompanied by police, raided Mbatha's Ramsquare Cafe in Atteridgeville and the socialite's home in Irene.
Mbatha is in custody at the Boksburg correctional facility and will today make another bail application in his bid to get freedom. He is also on two separate bail orders of R50 000 and R15 000 respectively.
He was arrested while reporting to a police station as part of his R15 000 bail conditions after an alleged victim claimed to have identified him from a newspaper photograph.
Although Sars could not confirm or deny the incident, it is believed they confiscated second-hand clothing items and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Sars spokesman Adrian Lackay said they could not discuss the affairs of the institution and a taxpayer because of a confidentiality clause.
"According to the Income Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act, any matters between a taxpayer and Sars shall be treated as confidential.
"It is for this reason that we cannot comment on the matter that you (the Pretoria News) are enquiring about," said Lackay.
He added that information could only be made public once charges against a taxpayer were in a court of law.
Sars's visit to Mbatha's premises is believed to be part of the revenue collector's investigation into his tax affairs, and is separate from the criminal charges he faces.
Mbatha is no stranger to run-ins with Sars. Tax evasion charges are included in those he is set to face next year.
In his submission to the Germiston Regional Court, where he will be making his bail application today, Mbatha stated that he had paid more than R500 000 to Sars after it had charged him with tax evasion.
He is currently facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances relating to an alleged robbery in Brackendowns earlier this year.
Mbatha is well known for his lavish lifestyle that includes expensive clothes and luxury vehicles.
- This article was originally published on page 3 of The Pretoria News on November 27, 2009
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