AmaBhungane adamant Zuma’s tax records are in the public interest

Advocacy Coordinator for AmaBhungane, Karabo Rajuili says they remain resolute that any information of a public figure should be made available without any hindrance as that information is in the public interest.

On Tuesday, AmaBhungane and the Financial Mail filed papers in the North Gauteng High Court to access the tax returns of former president Jacob Zuma.

Rajuili says the releasing of the documents could provide clarity on whether Zuma was involved in corruption.

But South African Revenue Service (SARS) has repeatedly said that, according to section 69 of the Tax Admin Act 2011, it does not share or divulge confidential information on taxpayer affairs.

Allegations of corruption were made in Jaques Pauw’s book titled ‘The President’s Keepers’.

In the book, it is alleged that Zuma did not submit tax returns for the first seven years of his presidency.

Meanwhile, the former president tweeted that if the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane wants to see his SARS records she is free to do so.

I hear that my SARS records are being contested in court by Kieswetter. No one has consulted me about this matter. Furthermore, I have been informed that the office requesting these records is the office of the @PublicProtector (PP) @AdvBMkhwebane

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019

I need to clarify that I have never refused the office of the PP access to investigate my affairs. This country knows very well that the former PP @ThuliMadonsela3 investigated me on a number of occasions and made findings against me.

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019

I never refused nor hid anything she wanted to investigate. Even where I personally thought she was going beyond her mandate and powers, I still obliged because I respect the office of the @PublicProtector and therefore I am not part of the contestation of my tax records.

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019

It must be known that I have nothing to hide. If the @PublicProtector wants to see my SARS records she is free to do so. We should not make the job of the PP difficult. If she wants my records, she must have them.

— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019

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